Sport ball athletic activity monitoring methods and systems

ABSTRACT

A method for monitoring a ball used for an athletic activity includes detecting movement of the ball using a sensor module coupled to the ball, determining a characteristic of the movement of the ball, comparing the characteristic to a known profile, and determining a second characteristic using the comparison.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/446,982, filed Apr. 13, 2012. This application is related to commonlyowned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/446,937, titled “AthleticActivity Monitoring Methods and Systems,” filed Apr. 13, 2012, andcommonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/446,986, titled“Wearable Athletic Activity Monitoring Methods and Systems,” filed Apr.13, 2012. Each of the above-mentioned references is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to monitoringmethods and systems for monitoring an object during an athleticactivity. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relateto methods and systems for monitoring the movement of a sport ball usedby an individual during an athletic activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Athletic activity is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and isa source of entertainment for many people. Some individuals prefer toengage in team athletic activities such as, for example, soccer orbasketball, while other individuals prefer to engage in individualathletic activities such as, for example, running or skiing. Regardlessof whether the activity is a team or individual activity, it is commonfor individuals to participate in both competitive sessions, such as asoccer match or a running race, and more informal training sessions suchas conducting soccer drills or running interval sprints.

Technology has resulted in the development of fitness monitoring devicesthat are capable of recording information about an individual'sperformance during an athletic activity using sensors, and in some casesproviding feedback about the individual's performance. Some portablefitness monitoring devices employ sensors attached to the individual'sbody, while other portable fitness monitoring devices rely on sensorsattached to a piece of athletic equipment. Such sensors may be capableof measuring various physical and/or physiological parameters associatedwith the individual's physical activity.

Many existing fitness monitoring devices are not portable and thus arenot suitable for monitoring in many real world competitive or trainingsessions. Even those that are portable are often too heavy or lacksufficient battery and/or processing power to be used for extendedperiods under rigorous competitive or training conditions. In addition,while some existing fitness monitoring devices are capable of makingrelatively simple performance determinations such as an individual'scurrent heart rate or total step count for an activity, more advanceddeterminations are often not possible or suffer from accuracy issues.Finally, the performance feedback provided by existing devices toindividuals often fails to provide these individuals with quick,accurate, insightful information that would enable them to easilycompare past performances, develop strategies for improving futureperformances, visualize performances, or select new training regimens orathletic equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is needed are new athletic activity monitoring methods and systemshaving improved capabilities, thus offering individuals engaged inathletic activities better tools to assess their activities. At leastsome of the embodiments of the present invention satisfy the above needsand provide further related advantages as will be made apparent by thedescription that follows.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for monitoring aball used for an athletic activity, the method comprising sensingacceleration data using a sensor module coupled to the object,determining a drag force applied to the object based on the accelerationdata, comparing the drag force with a drag profile that expresses dragas a function of object speed, and determining speed of the object basedon the comparison.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for monitoring aball used for an athletic activity, the method comprising determiningthat the object is in free flight using a sensor module coupled to theobject, determining a condition of the object during free flight usingthe sensor module, determining a trajectory model for the flight of theobject based on the condition of the object during flight, anddetermining the distance traveled by the object based on the trajectorymodel.

Additional features of embodiments of the invention will be set forth inthe description that follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain theprinciples of and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts tomake and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an individual using an athletic activitymonitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an individual using an athletic activitymonitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of various different pieces of athleticequipment according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of components of a sensor module according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of components of a sensor module according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a sensor module configured for monitoringan individual's body according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B is an illustration of a sport ball comprising a sensor modulefor monitoring the sport ball according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of various components of an athletic activitymonitoring system communicating according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8A is an illustration of various components of an athletic activitymonitoring system communicating according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8B is an illustration of two sensor modules communicating accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a group monitoring system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary coordinate system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary coordinate system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is flow chart illustrating a method for determining an activitymetric according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is flow chart illustrating a method for determining an activitymetric according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is flow chart illustrating a method for activating a sensormodule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is flow chart illustrating a method for identifying a matchingathletic motion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is flow chart illustrating a method for communicating with aremote computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is flow chart illustrating a method for correlating an activitymetric with a location according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a ball and a charging base, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a ball in a calibration state, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a ball in motion, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating operations to determine an activitymetric of a ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a ball in motion, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating operations to determine an activitymetric of a ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart illustrating operations to determine an activitymetric of a ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart illustrating operations to determine an activitymetric of a ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an illustration of a ball in motion, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an illustration of a ball in motion, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is an illustration of a ball in motion, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating operations to determine an activitymetric of a ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a display of a graph illustrating a functional relationshipbetween magnitude of acceleration and speed for a ball, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a display of a table illustrating a functional relationshipbetween magnitude of acceleration and speed for a ball, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a display of a graph illustrating characteristics of anindividual and of a ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an exampleembodiment”, “some embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is anon-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodimentof the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments asdescribed in the application.

Various aspects of the present invention, or any parts or functionsthereof, may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, tangiblecomputer readable or computer usable storage media having instructionsstored thereon, or a combination thereof, and may be implemented in oneor more computer systems or other processing systems.

The present invention generally relates to athletic activity monitoringmethods and systems. More particularly, the present invention relates tomethods and systems for monitoring the movement of a piece of athleticequipment used by an individual during an athletic activity. Anindividual engaged in an athletic activity (or another interested personsuch as a coach, teammate, or spectator) may desire to obtaininformation about the motion of the individual's body or the motion of apiece of the individual's athletic equipment during the course of theathletic activity.

For example, if the individual is participating in an activity thatinvolves the use of a sport ball, such as playing in a soccer (i.e.,football) match, it may be desirable, for example, to be able todetermine the various launch angles at which the soccer ball (i.e.,football) was kicked by the individual, to be able to determine the rateof rotation of the soccer ball after it was kicked by the individual, orto be able to determine the peak speeds that the soccer ball wastraveling at after being kicked by the individual.

As a further example, if the individual is participating in an activitythat involves various movements the individual's chest, such practicingbasketball skills, it may be desirable, for example, to be able toidentify instances when the individual cut to the left or cut to theright when trying to dribble around a defender, to be able to determinethe height that the individual jumped and/or the force with which theindividual jumped when taking jump shots, attempting dunks, orattempting to block shots, or to be able to determine the individual'sreaction time when working on basketball-related reaction time drills.

In an embodiment, the movement of the bodies of a plurality ofindividuals engaged in an athletic activity (e.g., teammates oropponents in a team sport) and/or the movement of a plurality of piecesof athletic equipment used by the individuals during the athleticactivity may be monitored. In some embodiments, real-time monitoringand/or feedback may be provided, while in other embodimentspost-activity feedback may be provided

By using an athletic activity monitoring system including one or moreportable sensors, embodiments of the present invention described belowmay advantageously enable an individual (or their coach, teammate, or aspectator) to obtain this or other information about the motion of theindividual's body or the motion of a piece of the individual's athleticequipment during the course of the athletic activity. Data obtained bysensors may be processed in a variety of ways to yield usefulinformation about the motion of an object of interest during theactivity. In some embodiments, sensor data may be processed to monitorchanges in the spatial orientation (i.e., changes in the position and/orrotation, relative to a specific location on the Earth or other point ofreference) of the individual's body or a piece of the individual'sathletic equipment. In other embodiment, sensor data may be processed toby reference to a predetermined correlation between movement data and anactivity metric stored in a data structure.

In one embodiment, information about the motion of the individual's bodyor the motion of a piece of the individual's athletic equipment may beused, for example, to provide coaching to the individual about how theirmovements could be improved, or as a check on the accuracy of a referee,umpire, or other athletic competition judge's judgment related to themovement of the individual's body or athletic equipment.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an individual 100 using an athleticactivity monitoring system 10 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The individual 100 may desire to obtain information about themotion of the individual's 100 body or the motion of a piece of theindividual's 100 athletic equipment during the course of the athleticactivity using athletic activity monitoring systems 10 according to thepresent invention.

Athletic activity monitoring systems 10 according to embodiments of thepresent invention may be suitable for use by individuals 100 for team orindividual athletic activities and for competitive and informal trainingsessions. For example, athletic activity monitoring systems 10 accordingto embodiments of the present invention may be suitable for use byindividuals 100 engaged in athletic activities such as baseball,basketball, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, football (i.e., Americanfootball), golf, hockey, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, running,skateboarding, skiing, soccer (i.e., football), surfing, swimming, tabletennis, tennis, or volleyball, or during training sessions relatedthereto.

Athletic activity monitoring systems 10 according to embodiments of thepresent invention may include a sensor module 102. The sensor module 102may include one or more sensors, and may be physically coupled to anobject 104 during an athletic activity conducted by an individual 100.As explained in further detail below, the sensor module 102 may be usedto monitor changes in the spatial orientation of the individual's 100body 106 or a piece of the individual's athletic equipment 108 in someembodiments, while the sensor module 102 may be used in combination withpredetermined correlation data stored in a data structure to determine acorrelation between body 106 or equipment 108 movement data and anactivity metric in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the monitored object 104may be the individual's 100 body 106, and the sensor module 102 may bephysically coupled to the individual's 100 body 106. In the illustratedembodiment, the sensor module 102 is configured to be physically coupledto the portion of the individual's 100 body 106 known as the chest. Inother embodiments, the sensor module 102 may be configured to bephysically coupled to other portions of the individual's 100 body 106such as, for example, the individual's head, neck, shoulder, back, arm,wrist, hand, finger, waist, hip, leg, ankle, foot, or toe.

In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 may be configured to bephysically coupled to the portion of the individual's 100 body 106 withone or more layers of clothing, an article of footwear, or athleticprotective equipment existing between the sensor module 102 and theindividual's 100 body 106. Regardless of whether intervening articlesare present, the sensor module 102 may be physically coupled to theportion of the individual's 100 body 106 by a variety of releasable ornon-releasable coupling means such as, for example, straps, adhesives,pockets, clips, or by being integrated into an article of clothing(e.g., shirt, pants, sock, glove, or hat), footwear, or athleticprotective equipment worn by the individual 100.

In one embodiment, the sensor module 102 may be configured to be placedin a sensor module 102 retention element of a garment that is configuredto retain the sensor module 102. In some exemplary embodiments,retention element may be sized and shaped to correspond to the size andshape of the sensor module 102, to be capable of nesting sensor module102 therein and holding the sensor module 102 in place so as to minimizethe effect of movement of a wearer of the garment on the sensor module102. Additional elements may be used to help minimize this effect, suchas, for example, bands and spacer elements. The sensor module 102retention element may be coupled to textile a layer of a garment by, forexample, being integral therewith, being adhered, stitched, welded,tied, clipped, snapped, or mounted thereto, or any combination of theseand other techniques. In some exemplary embodiments, sensor module 102retention element is formed integrally with a textile layer of thegarment.

In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 retention element may bepositioned to correspond to the upper back of a wearer of the sensormodule 102. The sensor module 102 retention element to correspond to ahigh position on the wearer, such as the upper back, may help minimizeinterference and maximize range and signal strength of the sensor module102 within the sensor module 102 retention element when the sensormodule 102 sends or receives data. Additionally, positioning the sensormodule 102 retention element to correspond to the upper back minimizesinterference with athlete movements by the sensor module 102. In someexemplary embodiments, sensor module 102 retention element is positionedto correspond to other than the upper back of a wearer.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the object 104 may be apiece of athletic equipment 108 used by the individual 100 during theathletic activity, and the sensor module 102 may be physically coupledto the piece of athletic equipment 108. In the illustrated embodiment,the sensor module 102 is physically coupled to a piece of athleticequipment 108 that is a soccer ball. In other embodiments, the sensormodule 102 may be configured to be physically coupled to other pieces ofathletic equipment 108 such as, for example, any type of sport ball, anytype of sport “stick” (e.g., a baseball bat, hockey stick, golf club,table tennis paddle, or tennis racquet), a sport glove, a bicycle, anoar, a shoe, a boot, a ski, a hat or cap, a skateboard, a surfboard, ora pair of glasses or goggles.

The sensor module 102 may be physically coupled to the piece of athleticequipment 108 by a variety of coupling means depending on the nature ofthe piece of athletic equipment 108 and the athletic activity. Forexample, the sensor module 102 may be physically coupled to a sport ballby being attached to the exterior of the ball, by being attached to aninterior surface of a hollow ball, by being suspended by a suspensionsystem in the interior of a hollow ball, or by being integrated into theouter layer or other layer of a multi-layer ball. Also, the sensormodule 102 may be physically coupled to a non-hollow sport ball (e.g., abaseball, bowling ball, or golf ball) by, for example, being attached tothe exterior of the ball, being integrated between layers of amulti-layer ball, by being embedded in a solid portion of the ball.

As further examples, the sensor module 102 may be releasably ornon-releasably physically coupled to a sport “stick” by being wrappedaround a portion of the sport stick, by being clipped to a portion ofthe sport stick, by being attached to an exterior surface of the sportstick, by being attached to an interior surface of a hollow ornon-hollow sport stick, by being suspended by a suspension system in theinterior of a hollow sport stick, or by being integrated into the wallor other layer of a multi-layer or composite sport stick. The sensormodule 102 may be physically coupled to the piece of athletic equipment108 by a variety of coupling means such as, for example, straps,adhesives, or by being integrated into the piece of athletic equipment108. In one embodiment, the sensor module 102 may be releasably ornon-releasably physically coupled to a piece of athletic equipment 108,such as a sport stick, be being incorporated into a sleeve that issecured about the outside of a piece of athletic equipment 108, such asa sport stick or a handle thereof.

In other embodiments, the sensor module 102 may be integrated within anexisting piece of athletic activity monitoring equipment such as, forexample, a heart rate monitoring device, a pedometer, andaccelerometer-based monitoring device, or other portable fitnessmonitoring device.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of various different pieces of athleticequipment 108 that could be used according to embodiments of themonitoring system 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, themonitoring system 10 of the present invention may be used with a varietyof different pieces of athletic equipment 108, such as, for example, abasketball, a football, a baseball bat, a baseball, a bowling ball, ahockey stick, a hockey puck, a skateboard, a surfboard, a bicycle, apair of skis, ski poles, a tennis racquet, a tennis ball, an article offootwear, a boxing glove, a golf club, or a golf ball.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of components of a sensor module 102 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustratedembodiment, the sensor module 102 includes a processor 110, a powersource 112, a memory 114, an acceleration sensor 116, a magnetic fieldsensor 118, and a transceiver 122 operatively connected to one anotherto carry out the functionality of the sensor module 102. In otherembodiments, one or more of these sensor module 102 components may beomitted, or one or more additional components may be added.

The processor 110 may be adapted to implement application programsstored in the memory 114 of the sensor module 102. The processor 110 mayalso be capable of implementing analog or digital signal processingalgorithms such as raw data reduction and filtering. For example,processor 110 may be configured to receive raw data from sensors andprocess such data at the sensor module 102. The processor 110 isoperatively connected to the power source 112, the memory 114, theacceleration sensor 116, the magnetic field sensor 118, and thetransceiver 122.

The power source 112 may be adapted to provide power to the sensormodule 102. In one embodiment, the power source 112 may be a battery.The power source may be built into the sensor module 102 or removablefrom the sensor module 102, and may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable.In an embodiment, the power source 112 may be recharged by a cableattached to a charging source, such as a universal serial bus (“USB”)FireWire, Ethernet, Thunderbolt, or headphone cable, attached to apersonal computer. In another embodiment, the power source 112 may berecharged by inductive charging, wherein an electromagnetic field isused to transfer energy from an inductive charger to the power source112 when the two are brought in close proximity, but need not be pluggedinto one another via a cable. In some embodiment, a docking station maybe used to facilitate charging. In other embodiments, the sensor module102 may be repowered by replacing one power source 112 with anotherpower source 112.

The memory 114 may be adapted to store application program instructionsand to store athletic activity data. In an embodiment, the memory 114may store application programs used to implement aspects of thefunctionality of the athletic activity monitoring system 10 describedherein. In one embodiment, the memory 114 may store raw data, recordeddata, and/or calculated data. In some embodiments, as explained infurther detail below, the memory 114 may act as a data storage buffer.The memory 114 may include both read only memory and random accessmemory, and may further include memory cards or other removable storagedevices.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the memory 114 may storeraw data, recorded data, and/or calculated data permanently, while inother embodiments the memory 114 may only store all or some datatemporarily, such as in a buffer. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the memory 114, and/or a buffer related thereto, may storedata in memory locations of predetermined size such that only a certainquantity of data may be saved for a particular application of thepresent invention.

The acceleration sensor 116 may be adapted to measure the accelerationof the sensor module 102. Accordingly, when the sensor module 102 isphysically coupled to an object 104 (such as an individual's 100 body106 or a piece of athletic equipment 108), the acceleration sensor 116may be capable of measuring the acceleration of the object 104,including the acceleration due to the earth's gravitational field. Inone embodiment, the acceleration sensor 116 may include a tri-axialaccelerometer that is capable of measuring acceleration in threeorthogonal directions. In other embodiments one, two, three, or moreseparate accelerometers may be used.

The magnetic field sensor 118 may be adapted to measure the strength anddirection of magnetic fields in the vicinity of the sensor module 102.Accordingly, when the sensor module 102 is physically coupled to anobject 104 (such as an individual's 100 body 106 or a piece of athleticequipment 108), the magnetic field sensor 118 may be capable ofmeasuring the strength and direction of magnetic fields in the vicinityof the object 104, including the earth's magnetic field. In oneembodiment, the magnetic field sensor 118 may be a vector magnetometer.In other embodiments, the magnetic field sensor 118 may be a tri-axialmagnetometer that is capable of measuring the magnitude and direction ofa resultant magnetic vector for the total local magnetic field in threedimensions. In other embodiments one, two, three, or more separatemagnetometers may be used.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the acceleration sensor 116and the magnetic field sensor 118 may be contained within a singleaccelerometer-magnetometer module bearing model number LSM303DLHC madeby STMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland. In other embodiments, thesensor module 102 may include only one of the acceleration sensor 116and the magnetic field sensor 118, and may omit the other if desired.

The transceiver 122 depicted in FIG. 4 may enable the sensor module 102to wirelessly communicate with other components of the athletic activitymonitoring system 10, such as those described in further detail below.In one embodiment, the sensor module 102 and the other local componentsof the athletic activity monitoring system 10 may communicate over apersonal area network or local area network using, for example, one ormore of the following protocols: ANT, ANT+ by Dynastream Innovations,Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy Technology, BlueRobin, or suitablewireless personal or local area network protocols. Other knowncommunication protocols suitable for an athletic activity monitoringsystem 10 may also be used.

In one embodiment, the transceiver 122 is a low-power transceiver. Insome embodiments, the transceiver 122 may be a two-way communicationtransceiver 122, while in other embodiments the transceiver 122 may be aone-way transmitter or a one-way receiver. Wireless communicationbetween the sensor module 102 and other components of the athleticactivity monitoring system 10 is described in further detail below. Inother embodiments, the sensor module 102 may be in wired communicationwith other components of the athletic activity monitoring system 10 thatdoes not rely on transceiver 122.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a sensor module 102 havingcomponents such as those depicted in FIG. 4 may be physically coupled toan object 104 during an athletic activity conducted by an individual 100to monitor changes in the spatial orientation of the individual's 100body 106 or a piece of the individual's athletic equipment 108, or todetermine a correlation between body 106 or equipment 108 movement dataand an activity metric. In these embodiments, the acceleration sensor116 and the magnetic field sensor 118 may be responsible for collectingthe data necessary to carry out the various monitoring calculations.

In some other embodiments, however, it may be desirable to haveadditional sensors included within the sensor module 102, or to haveadditional sensors in communication with the sensor module 102. Infurther embodiments, the sensor module 102 may be integrated within anexisting piece of athletic activity monitoring equipment possibly havingadditional or different sensors such as, for example, a heart ratemonitoring device, a pedometer, and accelerometer-based monitoringdevice, or other portable fitness monitoring device.

In addition to the acceleration sensor 116 and the magnetic field sensor118, other sensors that may be part of the sensor module 102 or separatefrom but in communication with the sensor module 102 may include sensorscapable of measuring a variety of athletic performance parameters. Theterm “performance parameters” may include physical parameters and/orphysiological parameters associated with the individual's 100 athleticactivity. Physical parameters measured may include, but are not limitedto, time, distance, speed, pace, pedal count, wheel rotation count,rotation generally, stride count, stride length, airtime, stride rate,altitude, strain, impact force, jump force, force generally, and jumpheight. Physiological parameters measured may include, but are notlimited to, heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygen level, bloodlactate level, blood flow, hydration level, calories burned, or bodytemperature.

Actual sensors that may be capable of measuring these parameters mayinclude, but are not limited to, a pedometer, a pulsimeter, athermometer, an altimeter, a pressure sensor, a strain gage, a bicyclepower meter, a bicycle crank or wheel position sensor, a magneticsensor, an angular momentum sensor (e.g., a gyroscope), a resistancesensor, or a force sensor.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of components of a sensor module 102 accordingto another embodiment of the present invention that may incorporate someof the additional sensors mentioned above, as well as other additionalcomponents. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor module 102includes a processor 110, a power source 112, a memory 114, anacceleration sensor 116, a magnetic field sensor 118, a user interface120, and a transceiver 122, an angular momentum sensor 124, a heart ratesensor 126, a temperature sensor 128, a position receiver 130, a dataport 132, and a timer 134 operatively connected to one another to carryout the functionality of the sensor module 102. In other embodiments,one or more of these sensor module 102 components may be omitted, or oneor more additional components may be added.

The processor 110, the power source 112, the memory 114, theacceleration sensor 116, the magnetic field sensor 118, and thetransceiver 122 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 may have structures andfunctions similar to those described above with respect to analogouscomponents in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the transceiver 122 may be atwo-way communication transceiver 122, while in other embodiments thetransceiver 122 may be a one-way transmitter or a one-way receiver.

The user interface 120 of the sensor module 102 may be used by theindividual 100 to interact with the sensor module 102. In an embodiment,the user interface 120 may include one or more input buttons, switches,or keys, including virtual buttons, switches, or keys of a graphicaluser interface touch screen surface. The function of each of thesebuttons, switches, or keys may be determined based on an operating modeof the sensor module 102. In one embodiment, the user interface 120 mayinclude a touch pad, scroll pad and/or touch screen. In anotherembodiment, the user interface 120 may include capacitance switches. Ina further embodiment, the user interface 120 may include voice-activatedcontrols.

In some embodiments, however, the sensor module 102 may not include auser interface 120. In these embodiments, the sensor module 102 may becapable of communicating with other components of the athletic activitymonitoring system 10 which may themselves include user interfaces.

The angular momentum sensor 124, which may be, for example, a gyroscope,may be adapted to measure the angular momentum or orientation of thesensor module 102. Accordingly, when the sensor module 102 is physicallycoupled to an object 104 (such as an individual's 100 body 106 orathletic equipment 108), the angular momentum sensor 124 may be capableof measuring the angular momentum or orientation of the object 104. Inone embodiment, the angular momentum sensor 124 may be a tri-axialgyroscope that is capable of measuring angular rotation about threeorthogonal axis. In other embodiments one, two, three, or more separategyroscopes may be used. In an embodiment, the angular momentum sensor124 may be used to calibrate measurements made by one or more of theacceleration sensor 116 and the magnetic field sensor 118.

The heart rate sensor 125 may be adapted to measure an individual'sheart rate. The heart rate sensor 125 may be placed in contact with theindividual's 100 skin, such as the skin of the individual's chest, andsecured with a strap. The heart rate sensor 125 may be capable ofreading the electrical activity the individual's 100 heart.

The temperature sensor 128 may be, for example, a thermometer, athermistor, or a thermocouple that measures changes in the temperature.In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 128 may primarily be usedfor calibration other sensors of the athletic activity monitoring system10, such as, for example, the acceleration sensor 116 and the magneticfield sensor 118.

In one embodiment, the position receiver 130 may be an electronicsatellite position receiver that is capable of determining its location(i.e., longitude, latitude, and altitude) using time signals transmittedalong a line-of-sight by radio from satellite position systemsatellites. Known satellite position systems include the GPS system, theGalileo system, the BeiDou system, and the GLONASS system. In anotherembodiment, the position receiver 130 may be an antennae that is capableof communicating with local or remote base stations or radiotransmission transceivers such that the location of the sensor module102 may be determined using radio signal triangulation or other similarprinciples. In some embodiments, position receiver 130 data may allowthe sensor module 102 to detect information that may be used to measureand/or calculate position waypoints, time, location, distance traveled,speed, pace, or altitude.

The data port 132 may facilitate information transfer to and from thesensor module 102 and may be, for example, a USB port. In some exemplaryembodiments, data port 132 can additionally or alternatively facilitatepower transfer to power source 112, in order to charge power source 112.

The timer 134 may be a clock that is capable of tracking absolute timeand/or determining elapsed time. In some embodiments, the timer 134 maybe used to timestamp certain data records, such that the time thatcertain data was measured or recorded may be determined and varioustimestamps of various pieces of data may be correlated with one another.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a sensor module 102 havingcomponents such as those depicted in FIG. 5 may be physically coupled toan object 104 during an athletic activity conducted by an individual 100to monitor changes in the spatial orientation of the individual's 100body 106 or a piece of the individual's athletic equipment 108, or todetermine a correlation between body 106 or equipment 108 movement dataand an activity metric. In these embodiments, the acceleration sensor116, the magnetic field sensor 118, and/or other included sensors may beresponsible for collecting the data necessary to carry out the variousmonitoring calculations. In some other embodiments, however, it may bedesirable to have additional sensors included within the sensor module102, to have additional sensors in communication with the sensor module102, or to have fewer sensors with the sensor module 102.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a sensor module 102 configured formonitoring an individual's 100 body 106 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The illustrated sensor module 102 may be similarto the sensor module 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 as being configured to bephysically coupled to the portion of the individual's 100 body 106 knownas the chest. In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensormodule 102 of FIG. 6A may be physically coupled to an individual's 100body 106 during an athletic activity to monitor changes in the spatialorientation of the individual's 100 body 106, or to determine acorrelation between body 106 movement data and an activity metric.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, in one embodiment, the sensor module 102 mayinclude a housing 136. The housing 136 may contain and protect thevarious electronic components of the exemplary sensor modules 102described above with reference to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5. Though the housing136 is illustrated as a circular disc-shaped housing in FIG. 6A, thehousing may take on any suitable size and shape that is able toaccommodate the necessary components of the sensor module 102 and tophysically couple to the desired part of the individual's 100 body 106.In one embodiment, the housing may be made of plastic, such as, forexample, TPU, or other suitably durable material.

In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 may also include a buttonand/or a display. The button may serve as the user interface of thesensor module 102. The button may be capable of turning the sensormodule 102 on and off, toggling through various display options, orserving a variety of other functions. Alternatively, multiple buttons orno buttons may be provided. In one embodiment, the display may be arelatively simple LED display that is capable of conveying the status orbattery life of the sensor module 102 to an individual 100. In anotherembodiment, the display may be a more advanced display that is capableof displaying performance parameter information, feedback, or otherinformation to the individual 100, such as a seven-segment LCD display.Alternatively, no button or display may be provided, as illustrated inFIG. 6A.

In other embodiments, the sensor module 102 may include audio controlssuch as a speaker and/or microphone for audio communication with anindividual 100. These components may serve as the user interface of thesensor module 102. These audio controls may be capable of turning thesensor module 102 on and off, toggling through various display options,or serving a variety of other functions. In one embodiment, the audiocontrols may be capable of conveying the status or battery life of thesensor module 102 to an individual 100. In another embodiment, the audiocontrols may be capable of outputting or receiving performance parameterinformation, feedback, or other information to and from the individual100. In one embodiment, the audio controls may be capable of acceptingvoice commands form the individual 100. In another embodiment, thesensor module 102 may be capable of relaying audio information to a userwirelessly via another device, such as a pair of headphones.Alternatively, audio controls may be provided, as illustrated in FIG.6A.

FIG. 6B is an illustration of a sport ball comprising a sensor module102 for monitoring the sport ball according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The illustrated sensor module 102 may be similar tothe sensor module 102 illustrated in FIG. 2 as being configured to bephysically coupled to a piece of athletic equipment 108 that is a soccerball. In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor module102 of FIG. 6B that is incorporated in the soccer ball may be usedduring an athletic activity to monitor changes in the spatialorientation of the soccer ball, or to determine a correlation betweenball movement data and an activity metric, as a result of, for examplethe individual 100 kicking the soccer ball.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the ball may include an outer layer 142enclosing a hollow void of the ball. The outer layer 142 may bestitched, bonded, and/or glued together from panels of leather orplastic and laced to allow access to an internal air bladder, ifnecessary. In other embodiments, the ball may be a non-hollow sport ball(e.g., a baseball, bowling ball, or golf ball) including a single, solidlayer or multiple different layers. In some embodiments, the sensormodule 102 may be attached to or incorporated into the ball prior tosale to an individual, while in other embodiments the individual maylater insert the sensor module 102 after purchasing the ball. In someembodiments, the ball may include a button and a display that may besimilar to those described above with respect to the body-mounted sensormodule 102, if present. Alternatively, no button or display may beprovided, as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor module 102 maycommunicate with other components of the athletic activity monitoringsystem 10 via wired or wireless technologies. Communication between thesensor module 102 and other components of the athletic activitymonitoring system 10 may be desirable for a variety of reasons. Forexample, to the extent that the sensor module 102 records and storesathletic activity information, it may be useful to transmit thisinformation to another electronic device for additional data processing,data visualization, sharing with others, comparison to previouslyrecorded athletic activity information, or a variety of other purposes.As a further example, to the extent that the sensor module 102 hasinsufficient processing power, wide area network transmissioncapabilities, sensor capabilities, or other capabilities, thesecapabilities can be provided by other components of the athleticactivity monitoring system 10. With this in mind, possiblecommunications means are described briefly below.

Wired communication between the sensor module 102 and a personalcomputer 204 may be achieved, for example, by placing the sensor module102 in a docking unit that is attached to the personal computer 204using a communications wire plugged into a communications port of thepersonal computer 204. In another embodiment, wired communicationbetween the sensor module 102 and the personal computer 204 may beachieved, for example, by connecting a cable between the sensor module102 and the computer 204. The data port 132 of the sensor module 102 anda communications port of the computer 204 may include USB ports. Thecable connecting the sensor module 102 and the computer 204 may be a USBcable with suitable USB plugs including, but not limited to, USB-A orUSB-B regular, mini, or micro plugs, or other suitable cable such as,for example, a FireWire, Ethernet or Thunderbolt cable. As previouslyexplained above, in some embodiments, such cables could be used tofacilitate power transfer to a power source 112 of the sensor module102, in order to charge the power source 112. Alternatively, the powersource 112 may be recharged by inductive charging, or by using a dockingstation.

Wired connection to a personal computer 204 may be useful, for example,to upload athletic activity information from the sensor module 102 tothe personal computer 204, or to download application software updatesor settings from the personal computer 204 to the sensor module 102.

Wireless communication between the sensor module 102 and the personalcomputer 204 may be achieved, for example, by way of a wireless widearea network (such as, for example, the Internet), a wireless local areanetwork, or a wireless personal area network. As is well known to thoseskilled in the art, there are a number of known standard and proprietaryprotocols that are suitable for implementing wireless area networks(e.g., TCP/IP, IEEE 802.16, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, ANT, ANT+by Dynastream Innovations, or BlueRobin). Accordingly, embodiments ofthe present invention are not limited to using any particular protocolto communicate between the sensor module 102 and the various elements ofthe athletic activity monitoring system 10 of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the sensor module 102 may communicate with a wirelesswide area network communications system such as that employed by mobiletelephones. For example, a wireless wide area network communicationsystem may include a plurality of geographically distributedcommunication towers and base station systems. Communication towers mayinclude one or more antennae supporting long-range two-way radiofrequency communication wireless devices, such as sensor module 102. Theradio frequency communication between antennae and the sensor module 102may utilize radio frequency signals conforming to any known or futuredeveloped wireless protocol, for example, CDMA, GSM, EDGE, 3G, 4G, IEEE802.x (e.g., IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)), etc. The information transmittedover-the-air by the base station systems and the cellular communicationtowers to the sensor module 102 may be further transmitted to orreceived from one or more additional circuit-switched or packet-switchedcommunication networks, including, for example, the Internet.

As shown in FIG. 7, communication may also occur between the sensormodule 102, a personal computer 204, and/or a remote server 202 via anetwork 200. In an embodiment, the network 200 is the Internet. TheInternet is a worldwide collection of servers, routers, switches andtransmission lines that employ the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) tocommunicate data. The network 200 may also be employed for communicationbetween any two or more of the sensor module 102, the personal computer204, the server 202, and a docking unit. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, information is directly communicated between the sensormodule 102 and the server 202 via the network 200, thus bypassing thepersonal computer 204.

A variety of information may be communicated between any of the sensormodule 102, the personal computer 204, the network 200, the server 202,or other electronic components such as, for example, another sensormodule 102, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or other portableelectronic devices. Such information may include, for example,performance parameter data, device settings (including sensor module 102settings), software, and firmware.

Communication among the various elements of the present invention mayoccur after the athletic activity has been completed or in real-timeduring the athletic activity. In addition, the interaction between, forexample, the sensor module 102 and the personal computer 204, and theinteraction between the personal computer 204 and the server 202 mayoccur at different times.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an individual 100 usingthe athletic activity monitoring system 10 may participate in theactivity with the sensor module 102 physically coupled to theindividual's body 106 or to a piece of athletic equipment 108, but withno other portable electronic devices making up part of the athleticactivity monitoring system 10 in the individual's immediate vicinity. Insuch an embodiment, the sensor module 102 would monitor the athleticactivity using its sensors. The sensor module 102 may also performcalculations necessary to monitor changes in the spatial orientation ofthe individual's 100 body 106 or a piece of the individual's athleticequipment 108, or perform calculations necessary to determine acorrelation between body 106 or equipment 108 movement data and anactivity metric.

Alternatively, in this scenario, other components of the athleticactivity monitoring system 10 that are remotely located from theindividual 100 during the activity could be relied upon to performcalculations necessary to monitor changes in the spatial orientation ofthe individual's 100 body 106 or a piece of the individual's athleticequipment 108, or perform calculations necessary to determine acorrelation between body 106 or equipment 108 movement data and anactivity metric. This could occur, for example after wirelesstransmission of athletic performance information directly from thesensor module 102 to a personal computer 204 or a server 202 during orafter the activity, or after a wired transmission of athleticperformance information directly from the sensor module 102 to apersonal computer 204 after the activity.

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, as illustratedin FIG. 8A, the sensor module 102 may communicate with a portableelectronic device 206 of the athletic activity monitoring system 10 thatis also carried by the individual 100 during the athletic activity. Insome embodiments, the portable electronic device 206 may be carried byanother person besides the individual 100, or not carried by any person.In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 206 may be a watch,a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or other portable electronic device.

The portable electronic device 206 may serve a variety of purposesincluding, for example, providing additional data processing, providingadditional data storage, providing data visualization, providingadditional sensor capabilities, relaying information to a network 200,or providing for the playback of music.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronicdevice 206 may be a dedicated portable electronic device 206. The term“dedicated portable electronic device” indicates that the portableelectronic device 206 is not capable of serving another purpose outsideof the athletic activity monitoring system 10 of the present invention.For example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or a digitalmusic file player (e.g., an MP3 player) may not be considered to be“dedicated portable electronic monitoring devices” as the term is usedherein. In this manner, the dedicated portable electronic monitoringdevice 206 may in some embodiments provide a simpler and/or moreefficient device.

The portable electronic device 206 illustrated in FIG. 8A is not adedicated portable electronic monitoring device; the portable electronicdevice 206 illustrated in FIG. 8A is a mobile phone. In alternateembodiments, it may be possible for the sensor module 102 itself to beembodied by a mobile phone. Including a portable electronic device 206in the athletic activity monitoring system 10, such as a mobile phone,may be desirable as mobile phones are commonly carried by individuals,even when engaging in athletic activities, and they are capable ofproviding significant additional computing and communication power at noadditional cost to the individual 100.

In view of the above discussion, it is apparent that various processingsteps or other calculations recited herein may be capable of beingperformed by various embodiments of the athletic activity monitoringsystem 10 disclosed herein, and are not necessarily limited to beingperformed by the sensor module 102, depending on the configuration of aparticular embodiment of the present invention. For example, any of theprocessing steps or other calculations recited herein may be performed,in various embodiments, by the sensor module 102, by a server computer202, by a personal computer 204, by a portable electronic device 206,and/or any other network component, or by more than one component.

Embodiments of the present invention may involve the use of so-called“cloud computing.” Cloud computing may include the delivery of computingas a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software,and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utilityover a network (typically the Internet). Cloud computing may entrustservices (typically centralized) with a user's data, software andcomputation on a published application programming interface over anetwork. End users may access cloud-based applications through a webbrowser or a light weight desktop or mobile app while the businesssoftware and data are stored on servers at a remote location. Cloudapplication providers often strive to give the same or better serviceand performance than if the software programs were installed locally onend-user computers.

FIG. 8B illustrates a first sensor module 102 in wireless communicationwith a second sensor module 102. In an embodiment, such communicationmay be desirable so that different individuals 100, includingindividuals 100 on the same athletic team, can compare their performancein athletic activities or otherwise exchange data without having tofirst transmit data through a remote computer such as a personalcomputer 204 or a server 202.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a group monitoring system according to anembodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, groupmonitoring system 250, depicted in, for example, FIG. 9, includes atleast one portable electronic devices 206, at least one base station260, and at least one group monitoring device 270. Portable electronicdevice 206 may be coupled to an individual 100. Portable electronicdevice 206 may include or be in communication with a sensor module 102or individual sensors associated with an individual 100 or theirathletic equipment 108, including, but not limited to, an accelerationsensor 116, a magnetic field sensor 118, a pedometer, a heart ratemonitor, a position sensor, an impact sensor, a camera, a gyroscope, amicrophone, a temperature sensor, and a wind sensor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the portable electronic device 206 and/orthe sensor module 102 may include a sensor garment, a heart ratemonitor, and a position sensor. The position sensor may include, forexample, a position sensor for use with a satellite-based positioningsystem, a position sensor for use with a beacon system (e.g., positiondetermination using triangulation and/or time differences of signalsreceived by antennas at known positions about a field or activity area),or a position sensor for use with any other suitableposition-determining system. In some exemplary embodiments, groupmonitoring device 270 may be used by a coach.

Sensor modules 102 may be mounted to individuals 100 in preparation forparticipation by individuals 100 in a session of athletic activity.Sensor modules 102 mounted to a particular individual 100 may becoupled, either via wires or wirelessly, to a portable electronic device206, also mounted on the particular individual 100. The sensor modules102 may sense characteristics about individuals 100 during participationby individuals 100 in the session of athletic activity, and transmitdata indicative of the characteristics to the portable electronic device206. The portable electronic device 206 in turn transmits the data tobase station 260 during the session of athletic activity. In someembodiments, the sensor module 102 and the portable electronic device206 may be integrated into a single device. In additional embodiments,as further illustrated in FIG. 9, a sensor module 102 may be capable ofcommunicating directly with a base station 260 without transmitting datavia the portable electronic device 206.

In some exemplary embodiments, this transmission occurs in real time.“Real time” as used herein may include delays inherent to transmissiontechnology, delays designed to optimize resources, and other inherent ordesirable delays that would be apparent to one of skill in the art. Insome exemplary embodiments, this transmission is delayed from real time,or may occur after completion of the activity. Base station 260 mayreceive the data and may determine metrics from the data, where themetrics may be representations of the characteristics measured by sensormodules 102, or may be representations of further characteristicsderived from the data through the use of algorithms and other datamanipulation techniques. Base station 260 in turn may transmit themetrics during the session of athletic activity to group monitoringdevice 270, which may receive the metrics and display a representationof the metrics.

Group monitoring device 270 may receive metrics associated with aplurality of individuals 100, and may display the received metrics inassociation with the individuals 100 with which they are associated. Inthis way, a coach viewing group monitoring device 270 during the sessionof athletic activity receives detailed information about multipleindividuals 100, and can act on that information as it is determinednecessary or expedient, thereby efficiently monitoring and managingindividuals 100 during the session of athletic activity.

In some exemplary embodiments, sensor module 102 or portable electronicdevices 206 calculate metrics based on the data, and transfer thesemetrics to base station 260 along with or instead of the data. In someexemplary embodiments, base station 260 transmits the data to groupmonitoring device 270, along with or instead of the metrics. In someexemplary embodiments, group monitoring device 270 calculates metricsbased on the data.

Base station 260 may be a self-contained portable system, containing allhardware required or desired to perform the functions of base station260 described herein. In some exemplary embodiments base station 260 isconfigured to be portable. In some exemplary embodiments, base station260 is configured to be positioned at an activity site. In someexemplary embodiments base station 260 is configured to be movablebetween activity sites such that it can be positioned at variousactivity sites. In some exemplary embodiments, base station 260 itselfincludes sensors, such as, for example, a GPS sensor (or other positionsensor), a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a temperature sensor, a humiditysensor, and/or a wind sensor. Such sensors can provide valuable datathat can be used in algorithms to determine metrics associated withindividuals 100, as will be described below.

In some exemplary embodiments, base station 260 includes a referencesensor (e.g., a GPS reference sensor), which may be physically includedwithin base station 260 or independent of and located remote from basestation 260 at a known position with respect thereto. Reference sensorcan be connected to base station 260 via wires or wirelessly. Referencesensor can be used to detect a deviation signal and use it to calculatea correction signal for received position signals (e.g., GPS data). Thiscorrection signal can be sent to a sensor module 102 or a portableelectronic device 206 (e.g., via base station 260). This correctionsignal can be used to correct position determinations of sensor module102 or portable electronic devices 206, thereby increasing theiraccuracy. Determining such a correction signal and then sending it tosensor module 102 or portable electronic devices 206 achieves efficientuse of processing capacity, because sensor module 102 or portableelectronic devices 206 are not burdened with determining a correctionsignal themselves, but simply receive and use a correction signaldetermined at base station 260 or reference sensor.

Base station 260 may transmit and receive data from sensor module 102 orportable electronic devices 206 via an antenna configured for one ormore of RF communication, WLAN communication, ISM communication,cellular (e.g., GSM broad band 2.5G or 3G, 4G, LTE) communication, othersuitable communication, or a combination thereof. Communication betweenbase station 260 and sensor module 102 or portable electronic devices206 may be bi-directional or uni-directional. Base station 260 can thendetermine metrics from the received data. As described above, basestation 260 receives data from sensor modules 102 or portable electronicdevices 206. Data reception module of base station 260 may be incommunication with each active sensor module 102 or portable electronicdevice 206.

Group monitoring device 270 can wirelessly receive metrics, alerts, andother information (e.g., identification information and attributes ofindividuals 100, or statistics relevant to individuals 100 or theathletic activity generally) from base station 260. A single groupmonitoring device 270 may be in communication with base station 260, ormultiple group monitoring devices 270 may be in communication with basestation 260 simultaneously. Group monitoring devices 207 may be portablewith respect to base station 260 and may communicate with base station260 via, for example, WLAN (wireless local area network), 2.4 GHz ISM(industrial, scientific, and medical) band, Bluetooth (or Bluetooth LowEnergy (BTLE)), or cellular protocols.

In some exemplary embodiments, group monitoring device 270 includes amodule selection element which allows selection of one or more operationmodules to be displayed. The operation modules may be selectable usingoperation module icons. In some exemplary embodiments, selection of aplan module icon may trigger display of a plan module including featuresdesigned to be used to plan a session of athletic activity. In someexemplary embodiments, selection of a monitor module icon may triggerdisplay of a monitor module including features designed to be used tomonitor a session of athletic activity in real time during the sessionof athletic activity, as described further herein. In some exemplaryembodiments, selection of an analyze module icon may trigger display ofan analyze module including features designed to be used to analyze asession of athletic activity in real time during the session of athleticactivity, or after completion of the session of athletic activity, asdescribed further herein. In some exemplary embodiments, selection of areport module icon may trigger display of a report module includingfeatures designed to be used to develop reports (e.g., printable ordisplayable summaries of selected information) related to a session ofathletic activity.

In some exemplary embodiments, group monitoring device 270 includes adisplay and an input. In a preferred embodiment, group monitoring device270 is a tablet computing-style device (such as a tablet personalcomputer or an IPAD brand tablet, marketed by Apple Inc.). Groupmonitoring device 270 may be, however, any other suitable device, suchas, for example, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a personal computer, amobile phone, an e-reader, a PDA (personal digital assistant), asmartphone, or other similar device capable of receiving and displayinginformation and receiving input.

Suitable group monitoring systems and components may include, forexample, the systems and components disclosed in commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/077,494, titled “Group PerformanceMonitoring System and Method,” which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

An overview of exemplary embodiments of components of the athleticactivity monitoring system 10 of the present invention, includingexemplary sensor modules 102, has been provided above. A description ofvarious exemplary methods of using the athletic activity monitoringsystem 10 of the present invention to monitor changes in the spatialorientation of the individual's 100 body 106 or a piece of theindividual's athletic equipment 108, or to determine a correlationbetween body 106 or equipment 108 movement data and an activity metricis now provided below.

An individual 100 engaged in an athletic activity (or another interestedperson such as a coach, teammate, or spectator) may desire to obtaininformation about the motion of the individual's 100 body 106 or themotion of a piece of the individual's athletic equipment 108 during thecourse of the athletic activity.

For example, if the individual 100 is participating in an activity thatinvolves the use of a sport ball, such as playing in a soccer match, itmay be desirable, for example, to be able to determine the variouslaunch angles at which the soccer ball (i.e., football) was kicked bythe individual 100, to be able to determine the rate of rotation of thesoccer ball after it was kicked by the individual 100, or to be able todetermine the peak speeds that the soccer ball was traveling at afterbeing kicked by the individual 100.

As a further example, if the individual 100 is participating in anactivity that involves various movements the individual's 100 chest,such practicing basketball skills, it may be desirable, for example, tobe able to identify instances when the individual 100 cut to the left orcut to the right when trying to dribble around a defender, to be able todetermine the height that the individual 100 jumped, the horizontaldistance the individual 100 jumped, or the force that the individual 100jumped with when taking jump shots, attempting dunks, or attempting toblock shots, or to be able to determine the individual's 100 reactiontime when working on basketball-related reaction time drills.

By using the athletic activity monitoring system 10 including the sensormodule 102 described above, embodiments of the present invention mayadvantageously enable the individual 100 (or their coach, teammate, or aspectator) to obtain this or other information about the motion of theindividual's 100 body 106 or the motion of a piece of the individual's100 athletic equipment 108 during or after the course of the athleticactivity.

While various embodiments of the present invention are described in thecontext of the sports of soccer (i.e., football) and basketball, thepresent invention is not so limited and may be applied in a variety ofdifferent sports or athletic activities including, for example,baseball, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, football (i.e., Americanfootball), golf, hockey, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, running,skateboarding, skiing, surfing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, orvolleyball, or during training sessions related thereto. In addition,activity metrics described as being capable of being determined insoccer may be capable of being determined in basketball, or vice versa,when appropriate.

Data obtained by the sensor module 102 may be processed in a variety ofways to yield useful information about the motion of an object 104 ofinterest during the activity. In some embodiments, sensor module 102data may be processed to monitor changes in the spatial orientation ofthe individual's 100 body 106 or a piece of the individual's 100athletic equipment 108. In other embodiment, sensor module 102 data maybe processed to by reference to a predetermined correlation betweenmovement data and an activity metric stored in a data structure.

Regardless of whether the athletic activity monitoring system 10 and thesensor module 102 are being used to monitor the individual's 100 body106 or a piece of the individual's 100 athletic equipment 108, inembodiments of the present invention where there is a desire to monitorchanges in the spatial orientation of the individual's 100 body 106 orthe piece of the individual's 100 athletic equipment 108, a commonanalytical framework may be used to carryout the monitoring. Thisanalytical framework is illustrated by FIG. 12.

With reference to FIG. 12, in such an embodiment, the individual 100 mayuse the sensor module 102 in the athletic activity monitoring system 10to determine a change in spatial orientation of the object 104 accordingto spatial orientation process 400 as follows.

First, at step 402, the sensor module 102 may detect movement of theobject 104. In one embodiment, movement of the object 104 is detectedbased on acceleration data captured by the acceleration sensor 116 ofthe sensor module 102. In another embodiment, movement of the object 104is detected based on magnetic field data captured by the magnetic fieldsensor 118 of the sensor module 102. In yet another embodiment, movementof the object 104 is detected based on both acceleration data andmagnetic field data.

In one embodiment, the magnetic field sensor 118 may be adapted tomeasure the strength and direction of magnetic fields in the vicinity ofthe sensor module 102. In another embodiment, the magnetic field sensor118 may be adapted to measure the strength and direction of the earth'smagnetic field in the vicinity of the sensor module 102. In someembodiments, the magnetic field sensor 118 may be capable of measuringthe magnitude and direction of a resultant magnetic vector for the totallocal magnetic field and/or for the local earth's magnetic field.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the detected movement mayconsist of the soccer ball rolling on the ground as a result of beingdribbled by the individual 100. If the monitored object 104 is the chestof an individual 100 playing basketball, the detected movement mayconsist of the individual's chest moving forward as the individualdribbles a basketball down the court.

In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 may then determine that themovement of the object 104 indicates the occurrence of a movement totrack. In one embodiment, the determination that the movement of theobject 104 indicates the occurrence of a movement to track occurs when athreshold data value is met for a predetermined period of time. Forexample, the sensor module 102 may determine that a movement of theobject 104 has resulted in a threshold acceleration and/or magneticfield change occurring for a predetermined period of time.

In some embodiments, the determination of the occurrence of a movementto track is an indication that the movement to track had already begunprior to the determination. In this case, it is still possible tocapture all of the relevant data relating to the movement as the sensormodule 102 may temporarily record a stream of data in a buffer in theevent that data that had recently been recorded may need to be examinedor more permanently recorded in response to a determination that anoccurrence of a movement to track is found. In other embodiments, thedetermination of the occurrence of a movement to track is an indicationthat the movement to track is about to begin in the near future. In someembodiments, the sensor module 102 is adapted to store data permanentlyor temporarily, and may further be adapted to store data for predefinedperiods of time in certain circumstances, such as when populating a databuffer.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the movement of the soccerball as a result of the individual 100 swiftly kicking the ball in anattempt to make a goal may result in a determination that the motion ofthe ball in response to the kick—which could include motion of the ballbefore, during, and/or after the determination was made—should betracked. If the monitored object 104 is the chest of an individual 100playing basketball, the rotation of the individual's 100 chest throughone-hundred and eighty degrees of rotation when making an offensivemovement may result in a determination that the rotation of theindividual's chest—which could include motion of the individual's 100chest before, during, and/or after the determination was made—should betracked.

Next, as step 406, in response to the determination of the occurrence ofa movement to track, an initial spatial orientation of the object 104may be determined. In some embodiments, the determination of an initialspatial orientation of the object 104 may be made by reference to acoordinate axis system.

A coordinate axis system is a useful analytical tool for monitoringchanges in the spatial orientation of an object 104. FIG. 10 illustratesan exemplary three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate axis system 300having three axes—an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis. Two vectors, “G”and “B,” are superimposed on the coordinate axis system 300 illustratedin FIG. 10. The G-vector 302 pointing in the—Y direction represents agravity vector. The B-vector 304 represents a resultant magnetic fieldvector.

FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary three-dimensional Cartesiancoordinate axis system 350. This system 350 defines six degrees offreedom for a rigid body, such as the object 104. Six degrees of freedomrefers to motion of a rigid body in three-dimensional space, namely theability to move forward/backward, up/down, left/right (translation inthree perpendicular axes) combined with rotation about threeperpendicular axes (pitch, yaw, roll), as illustrated in FIG. 11.

Returning to the discussion of step 406, in one embodiment, thedetermination of the initial spatial orientation of the object 104 maybe made with respect to a gravity vector 302, such as that illustratedin FIG. 10. In another embodiment, the determination of the initialspatial orientation of the object 104 may be made with respect to anearth magnetic field vector 304, such as that illustrated in FIG. 10. Inother embodiments, the determination of the initial spatial orientationof the object 104 may be made with respect to characterizations of theway that the object translated and rotated in three-dimensional spacewith six degrees of freedom, as explained with reference to FIG. 11.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the determination of theinitial spatial orientation of the soccer ball relative to the specificmovement to be tracked (i.e., movement of the ball resulting from thekick) may be defined, for example, as the spatial orientation of thesoccer ball just before, at the moment of, or just after the soccer ballwas swiftly kicked by the individual's 100 foot, depending on theparticular application and algorithms used. If the monitored object 104is the chest of an individual 100 playing basketball, the determinationof the initial spatial orientation of the individual's 100 chestrelative to the specific movement to be tracked (i.e., the one-hundredand eighty degree rotation) may be defined, for example, as the spatialorientation of the individual's 100 chest just before, at the moment of,or just after the individual's 100 chest began rotating, depending onthe particular application and algorithms used.

At step 408, after the determination of the initial orientation of theobject 104 at a first time has been made, a change in the spatialorientation of the object 104 may be determined. In an embodiment, thedetermination of the change in the spatial orientation of the object 104at step 408 may be made similarly to the determination of the initialorientation of the object 104 at step 406, except that additionalinformation about changes in the orientation of the gravity vector 302and/or the magnetic field vector 304 as the object moves may beadditionally factored in.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the determination of thechange in the spatial orientation of the soccer ball relative to thespecific movement to be tracked (i.e., movement of the ball resultingfrom the kick) may be defined, for example, as the change in spatialorientation of the soccer ball from the time that the initialorientation of the soccer ball was identified to a later point in timewhen the ball is still moving or has ceased moving, depending on theparticular application and algorithms used. If the monitored object 104is the chest of an individual 100 playing basketball, the determinationof the change in the spatial orientation of the individual's 100 chestrelative to the specific movement to be tracked (i.e., the one-hundredand eighty degree rotation) may be defined, for example, as the changein the spatial orientation of the individual's 100 chest from the timethat the initial orientation of the individual's 100 chest wasidentified to a later point in time when the individual's 100 chest isstill moving or has ceased moving, depending on the particularapplication and algorithms used.

At step 410, an activity metric is determined based on the change in thespatial orientation of the object 104 determined in step 408. The natureof the activity metric may change based on the athletic activity thatthe individual 100 is participating in, as well as particular object 104that is being monitored. In one embodiment, the activity metric mayrelate to, for example, a launch angle, a rate of rotation, a balltrajectory, a speed, a jump height, a jump force, a jump distance, ajump trajectory, a kick force, a kick distance, an impact force, acharacterization of a specific type of athletic movement, or a reactiontime measurement. In other embodiments, the activity metric may be, forexample, the rate of rotation, the plane of rotation, the jump force,force profile (force acting upon the body of the athlete or the groundor the object), stroke information in tennis, swing profile in golf,baseball, hockey stick, kick profile of a leg, angle position of a bikepedal, power output of a cyclist, fatigue (tremors starting to occur inrepeated motion, i.e., running, lifting swimming, rowing etc.), posture,throwing or arm swing technique, and shooting technique.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the change in the spatialorientation of the ball resulting from the kick may be used todetermine, for example, a launch angle of the ball, a rate of rotationof the ball, launch speed, estimated speed, or similar metrics. If themonitored object 104 is the chest of an individual 100 playingbasketball, the change in the spatial orientation of the individual's100 chest during the one-hundred and eighty degree rotation may be usedto determine, for example, that the individual had been posting up adefender and then executed a one-hundred and eighty degree spin move tomaneuver around the defender, or similar metrics. In other embodiments,the change in the spatial orientation of the individual's 100 chest maybe used to determine a jump height or jump force.

Finally, at step 412, an output is provided that conveys the activitymetric to the individual 100, a coach, a teammate, a spectator, or anyother interested person. In one embodiment, the output may be anaudible, visual, and/or haptic output.

In some embodiments of the present invention, instead of a desire tomonitor changes in the spatial orientation of an object 104 of interest,there may be a desire to correlate movements of objects 104, such as theindividual's 100 body 106 or the piece of the individual's 100 athleticequipment 108, to activity metrics based on a predetermined correlationstored in a data structure. A common analytical framework may be used tocarry out such correlations. This analytical framework is illustrated byFIG. 13.

With reference to FIG. 13, in such an embodiment, the individual 100 mayuse the sensor module 102 in the athletic activity monitoring system 10to determine such correlations to object 104 movement according tomovement correlation process 420 as follows.

First, at step 422, the sensor module 102 may detect movement of theobject 104. This step may be carried out in a similar fashion to step402 of the spatial orientation process 400, as described above.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the detected movement mayconsist of the soccer ball rolling on the ground as a result of beingdribbled by the individual 100. If the monitored object 104 is the chestof an individual 100 playing basketball, the detected movement mayconsist of the individual's chest moving forward as the individualdribbles a basketball down the court.

In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 may then determine that themovement of the object 104 indicates the occurrence of a movement totrack. This step may be carried out in a similar fashion to step 404 ofthe spatial orientation process 400, as described above.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the movement of the soccerball as a result of the individual 100 swiftly kicking the ball in anattempt to make a goal may result in a determination that the motion ofthe ball in response to the kick—which could include motion of the ballbefore, during, and/or after the determination was made—should betracked. If the monitored object 104 is the chest of an individual 100playing basketball, the movement of the individual's 100 chest sharplyupward away from the ground as a result of the individual jumping to,for example, take a jump shot, attempt a dunk, or attempt to block ashot, may result in a determination that the upward movement of theindividual's chest—which could include motion of the individual's 100chest before, during, and/or after the determination was made—should betracked.

Next, at step 426, the sensor module 102 may record movement data inresponse to identifying a movement to track. In one embodiment, movementof the object 104 is recorded based on acceleration data captured by theacceleration sensor 116 of the sensor module 102. In another embodiment,movement of the object 104 is recorded based on magnetic field datacaptured by the magnetic field sensor 118 of the sensor module 102. Inyet another embodiment, movement of the object 104 is recorded based onboth acceleration data and magnetic field data.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the movement of the soccerball as a result of the individual 100 swiftly kicking the ball may berecorded. If the monitored object 104 is the chest of an individual 100playing basketball, the movement of the individual's 100 chest sharplyupward may be recorded.

Next, at step 428, the sensor module 102 may determine a correlationbetween the recorded movement data and an activity metric. In oneembodiment, this determination may be based on correlation informationstored in a data structure, such as a lookup table.

A lookup table is a data structure, usually an array or associativearray, often used to replace a runtime computation with a simpler arrayindexing operation. The savings in terms of processing time can besignificant, since retrieving a value from memory is often faster thanundergoing relatively processing-expensive computation or input/outputoperation. Lookup table figures may be pre-calculated and stored instatic program storage or pre-fetched as part of a programinitialization phase.

The nature of the correlation may depend on the particular applicationand algorithms used to establish the correlation. Also, the nature ofthe activity metric may change based on the athletic activity that theindividual 100 is participating in, as well as particular object 104that is being monitored. In one embodiment, the activity metric mayrelate to, for example, a launch angle, a rate of rotation, a balltrajectory, a speed, a jump height, a jump force, a jump distance, ajump trajectory, a kick force, a kick distance, an impact force, acharacterization of a specific type of athletic movement, or a reactiontime measurement. In other embodiments, the activity metric may be, forexample, the rate of rotation, the plane of rotation, the jump force,force profile (force acting upon the body of the athlete or the groundor the object), stroke information in tennis, swing profile in golf,baseball, hockey stick, kick profile of a leg, angle position of a bikepedal, power output of a cyclist, fatigue (tremors starting to occur inrepeated motion, i.e., running, lifting swimming, rowing etc.), posture,throwing or arm swing technique, and shooting technique.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the correlation betweenthe recorded movement data and an activity metric may rely oncorrelation data stored in a data structure that was derived from afunction that expresses a relationship between soccer ball accelerationdata and soccer ball launch speed metrics. In some embodiments, thefunction underlying the relationship between soccer ball accelerationdata and soccer ball launch speed may be based on empirical data for thespecific model soccer ball.

If the monitored object 104 is the chest of an individual 100 playingbasketball, the correlation between the recorded movement data and anactivity metric may rely correlation data stored in a data structurethat was derived from a function that expresses a relationship betweenchest acceleration data and, for example, jump height or jump forcemetrics. In some embodiments, the function underlying the relationshipbetween chest acceleration data and jump height may be based on datasuch as, for example, the individual's weight.

Finally, at step 430, an output is provided that conveys the activitymetric to the individual 100, a coach, a teammate, a spectator, or anyother interested person. This step may be carried out in a similarfashion to step 412 of the spatial orientation process 400, as describedabove.

The analytical frameworks outlined with respect to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13detailing the basic spatial orientation process 400 and the basicmovement correlation process 420, respectively may be used inembodiments of the present invention to monitor the individual's 100body 106 or a piece of the individual's 100 athletic equipment 108 usinga sensor module 102. However, in some embodiments of the presentinvention, these basic analytical frameworks may include additionalsteps that may provide improved capabilities, thus offering theindividual 100 engaged in athletic activities better tools to assesstheir activities.

FIG. 14 illustrates an active state process 440 that may be used toaugment the basic spatial orientation process 400 or the basic movementcorrelation process 420 outlined above. The active state process 400 mayenable a sensor module 102 to run in a plurality of states, one of whichmay be considered an active state. In one embodiment, the active statemay be characterized by the sensor module 102 consuming more powerduring the active state than prior to the active state. In anotherembodiment, the active state may be characterized by the sensor module102 sampling data from the acceleration sensor 116 at a higher rateduring the active state than prior to the active state. In yet anotherembodiment, the active state may be characterized by the sensor module102 permanently saving data in the active state, as opposed to onlytemporarily recorded data prior to the active state. In this way,enabling various states may allow the sensor module 102 to operate withreduced battery power, reduced processing power, or otherwise be moreefficient.

With reference to FIG. 14, the active state process 440 begins as step442. In one embodiment, the steps of the active state process 440 mayoccur just prior to the steps of the basic spatial orientation process400 or the basic movement correlation process 420 so that theseprocesses may be carried out with more efficient sensor module 102function.

At step 442, the sensor module 102 may detect movement of the object 104at a first time. This step may be carried out in a similar fashion tostep 402 of the spatial orientation process 400 or step 422 of themovement correlation process 420, as described above.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the detected movement mayconsist of the soccer ball rolling on the ground as a result of beingdribbled by the individual 100. If the monitored object 104 is the chestof an individual 100 playing basketball, the detected movement mayconsist of the individual's 100 chest moving forward as the individualdribbles a basketball down the court.

Next, at step 444, the sensor module 102 may determine that the movementof the object 104 corresponds to a predetermined activation movement. Insome embodiments, the predetermined activation movement may include aseries of discrete movements such as, for example, a ball being bouncedthree times in series, the ball being thrown a predetermined height, theball being kicked with a certain level of force, the individual 100jumping up and down three times in series, or a movement that results inthe acceleration of the sensor module 102 exceeding and/or falling belowa predetermined threshold in absolute terms or for a predeterminedperiod of time. In one embodiment, movement of the object 104 isdetected based on acceleration data captured by the acceleration sensor116 of the sensor module 102. In another embodiment, movement of theobject 104 is detected based on magnetic field data captured by themagnetic field sensor 118 of the sensor module 102. In yet anotherembodiment, movement of the object 104 is detected based on bothacceleration data and magnetic field data.

The step of determining that the movement of the object corresponds to apredetermined activation movement may include comparing accelerationdata associated with the predetermined activation movement toacceleration data detected in association with the movement of theobject. Alternatively, the step of determining that the movement of theobject corresponds to a predetermined activation movement may includecomparing timing data associated with the predetermined activationmovement to timing data detected in association with the movement of theobject.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the predeterminedactivation movement could be, for example, movement of the soccer ballafter it had been stationary for a predetermined period of time, thesoccer ball being bounced three times, the soccer ball being thrown intothe air a certain height of period of time, or a variety of otherpossible activation movements. If the monitored object 104 is the chestof an individual 100 playing basketball, the predetermined activationmovement could be, for example, movement of the individual's 100 chestafter the individual 100 had been stationary for a predetermined periodof time (e.g., sitting on the bench), the individual 100 jumping up anddown three times in a row, the individual 100 squatting three times in arow, or a variety of other possible activation movements.

In some embodiments, the monitored object 104 can be consideredstationary when the sensor module 102 of the monitored object 104 sensesresultant acceleration of about 1G (i.e., resultant acceleration withina threshold tolerance of 1G, for example, within 5% of 1G). In someembodiments the monitored object 104 can be considered stationary attimes while being handled by an individual. For example, a ball can bestationary for a period of time in which a basketball player takes ajump shot with ball (e.g., before release of ball from the hands of theindividual, the ball can be considered stationary, where resultantacceleration sensed by sensor module 102 is about 1G). Also for example,the ball can be stationary for a period of time in which a baseballplayer performs a throw of ball (e.g., a period of time spanning thetransition from rearward motion to forward motion of the individual'sthrowing motion, where resultant acceleration sensed by sensor module102 is about 1G).

Next, at step 446, after determining that an activation movement hasoccurred, the sensor module 102 may enter the active state. Aspreviously described, the active state may be characterized, forexample, by the sensor module 102 consuming more power or sampling dataat a higher rate during the active state than prior to the active state.

Finally, at step 448, upon the sensor module 102 entering the activestate, detection of movement of the object at a second time, as detailedat step 402 of the basic spatial orientation process 400 or at step 422of the basic movement correlation process 420. In this way, enablingvarious states may allow the sensor module 102 to operate with reducedbattery power, reduced processing power, or otherwise be more efficient.

FIG. 15 illustrates a reference motion process 450 that may be used toaugment the basic movement correlation process 420 outlined above. Thereference motion process 450 may enable a sensor module 102 to identifya matching athletic motion from a plurality of reference motions bycomparing movement data, where the plurality of reference motions may bediverse in nature. In this way, the athletic motion identificationcapabilities of the movement correlation process 420 may be enhanced byenabling identification and tracking of diverse types of motionsexecuted during an activity.

With reference to FIG. 15, the reference motion process 450 begins asstep 452. In one embodiment, the steps of the reference motion process450 may effectively be substituted for step 426, 428, and 430 of thebasic movement correlation process 420 outlined above so that thecorrelation and identification capabilities are enhanced.

At step 452, the sensor module 102 may record movement data (possibly inresponse to identifying a movement to track in a previous step, asoutlined above). In one embodiment, movement of the object 104 isrecorded based on acceleration data captured by the acceleration sensor116 of the sensor module 102. In another embodiment, movement of theobject 104 is recorded based on magnetic field data captured by themagnetic field sensor 118 of the sensor module 102. In yet anotherembodiment, movement of the object 104 is recorded based on bothacceleration data and magnetic field data.

If the monitored object 104 is a soccer ball, the movement of the soccerball as a result of the individual 100 swiftly kicking the ball may berecorded. If the monitored object 104 is the chest of an individual 100playing basketball, the movement of the individual's 100 chest sharplyupward may be recorded.

Next, at step 454, the sensor module 102 may identify a matchingathletic motion from a plurality of reference motions by comparing themovement data to data associated with the plurality of referencemotions. In one embodiment, as with step 428 of the basic movementcorrelation process 420, the identification may be made at least in partbased on correlation information stored in a data structure, such as alookup table.

Particular to step 428, identification of the matching athletic motionmay be by reference to a plurality of reference motions. In other words,at step 428, the system is not limited to looking for a motion thatmatches a single motion (e.g., kicking a soccer ball in an effort toscore a goal). In some embodiments, the system is not limited to lookingfor a motion that matches a single class of motions (e.g., offensivesoccer motions). In other embodiments, the system is not limited tolooking for a motion that matches motions in a single sport (e.g.,soccer motions). Alternatively, when the activity is a team sport, thematching athletic motion may be a motion commonly executed by a personduring that team sport.

In one embodiment, one or more of the reference motions may include aseries of discrete movements. In some embodiments, data associated withthe plurality of reference motions may include acceleration data,magnetic field data, and/or timing data. Of course, the nature of theidentifying matching athletic motion may depend on the particularapplication and algorithms used to establish the match. Also, the natureof the matching athletic motion may change based on the athleticactivity that the individual 100 is participating in, as well asparticular object 104 that is being monitored. In one embodiment relatedto basketball, the matching athletic motion may be, for example, a passmotion, an shot motion, an jump-shot motion, a dunk motion, a post-upmotion, a cross-over dribble motion, a shot blocking motion, a stealmotion, or a rebound motion.

Finally, at step 456, an output is provided that conveys the matchingathletic motion to the individual 100, a coach, a teammate, a spectator,or any other interested person. This step may be carried out in asimilar fashion to step 430 of the movement correlation process 420, asdescribed above. In this way, the athletic motion identificationcapabilities of the movement correlation process 420 may be enhanced byenabling identification and tracking of diverse types of motionsexecuted during an activity.

FIG. 16 illustrates a remote spatial processing process 460 that may beused to augment the basic spatial orientation process 400 outlinedabove. The remote spatial processing process 460 may enable a sensormodule 102 to wirelessly transmit spatial orientation data to a remotecomputer for processing. Wireless communication with other elements ofthe athletic activity monitoring system 10 is generally described abovewith reference to FIG. 7. In this way, the spatial processingcapabilities or movement correlation capabilities of the athleticactivity monitoring system 10 may be enhanced by shifting certainprocessing and analytical tasks to a remotely located computer, such asa server computer, with greater computational abilities and, in someembodiments, access to additional data or other resources.

With reference to FIG. 16, the remote spatial processing or correlationprocess 460 begins as step 462. In one embodiment, the steps of theremote spatial processing or correlation process 460 may effectively besubstituted for step 410 of the basic spatial orientation process 400,or step 426 of the basic movement correlation process 420, outlinedabove so that activity metric determination may occur remotely.

At step 462, a change in the spatial orientation of the object 104 maybe determined or movement data may be recorded. In an embodiment, thedetermination of the change in the spatial orientation of the object 104or the recordation of movement data at step 462 may be made similarly tothe determination of the change in spatial orientation of the object 104at step 408 of the basic spatial orientation process 400 outlined aboveor to the recording of movement data at step 426 of the basic movementcorrelation process 420.

Next, at step 464, the sensor module 102 may wirelessly transmit datarelating to the change in spatial orientation, or to movement, to acomputer, wherein the computer is remotely located from the user duringthe athletic activity. For example, the remote computer may be server202. In one embodiment, the data relating to the change in spatialorientation, or to movement, may be transmitted to the remote computerduring the athletic activity. In another embodiment, the data relatingto the change in spatial orientation, or to movement, may be transmittedto the remote computer after the athletic activity has been completed.

Next, at step 466, the sensor module 102 may wirelessly receive activitymetric data from the remote computer, wherein the activity metric datais based on the transmitted data relating to the change in spatialorientation, or to movement. Accordingly, the determination of theactivity metric, as outlined, for example, at step 410 of the basicspatial orientation process 400, the determination of the activitymetric based on correlation data, possibly with reference to a lookuptable, as outlined, for example, at step 428 of the basic movementcorrelation process 420, may be handled by the remote computer. In oneembodiment, the activity metric data may be received from the remotecomputer during the athletic activity. In another embodiment, theactivity metric data may be received from the remote computer after theathletic activity has been completed.

In addition, in certain embodiments, because of the greater processingcapabilities and resources of the remote computer, the remote computermay be capable of providing additional information to the sensor module102. In one embodiment, the sensor module 102 may receive trainingrecommendation data from the remote computer in addition to the activitymetric data. In another embodiment, the sensor module 102 may receivemotivational content data from the remote computer in addition to theactivity metric data.

In an embodiment, the activity metric data received from the remotecomputer may include a comparison between data associated with the userfor the present athletic activity and data associated with the user froma previous athletic activity. In another embodiment, the activity metricdata received from the remote computer may include a comparison betweendata associated with the user for the present athletic activity and dataassociated with a different individual's athletic activity.

Finally, at step 468, an output is provided that conveys the activitymetric to the individual 100, a coach, a teammate, a spectator, or anyother interested person. This step may be carried out in a similarfashion to step 412 of the spatial orientation process 400, or to step430 of the movement correlation process 420, as described above. In thisway, the spatial processing or movement determining capabilities of theathletic activity monitoring system 10 may be enhanced by shiftingcertain processing and analytical tasks to a remotely located computer,such as a server computer, with greater computational abilities and, insome embodiments, access to additional data or other resources.

FIG. 17 illustrates a location process 480 that may be used to augmentthe basic spatial orientation process 400 or the basic movementcorrelation process 420 outlined above. The location process 480 mayenable an individual to determine the precise geographic location thatvarious monitored athletic motions occurred during the course of anathletic activity. In this way, the location process 480 may provide theindividual, a coach, a teammate, a spectator, or any other interestedperson with additional information that may be correlated with themovement-based activity metric information itself.

With reference to FIG. 17, the location process 480 begins as step 482.In one embodiment, the steps of the location process 480 may occur afterthe steps of the basic spatial orientation process 400 or the basicmovement correlation process 420, or just prior to the output steps ofthese processes.

At step 482, the activity metric may be determined based on a change inthe spatial orientation of the object 104, as described at step 410 ofthe spatial orientation process 400, or based on the correlationdescribed at step 428 of the movement correlation process 420. Thenature of the activity metric may change based on the athletic activitythat the individual 100 is participating in, as well as particularobject 104 that is being monitored. In one embodiment, the activitymetric may relate to, for example, a launch angle, a rate of rotation, aspeed, a jump height, jump force, a characterization of a specific typeof athletic movement, or a reaction time measurement.

Next, at step 484, the location of the object 104 during the athleticactivity may be determined. In one embodiment, the location of theobject 104 during the athletic activity is determined using a satellitepositioning system receiver, such as a GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, or GLONASSreceiver. In another embodiment, the location of the object 104 duringthe athletic activity is determined using a beacon signal or radiosignal triangulation.

In embodiments where the individual's 100 physical activity includestraversing a specific route (e.g., running or biking in a race), thesensor module 102 may capable of recording an individual's 100geographic way points along the route traversed.

Finally, at step 486, a determined athletic activity metric may becorrelated with the location associated with the athletic activitymetric. Accordingly, for example, the sensor module 102 may capable ofrecording where an individual 100 took each soccer or basketball shot.

By using the athletic activity monitoring system 10 including the sensormodule 102 described above, embodiments of the present invention mayadvantageously enable the individual 100 (or their coach, teammate, or aspectator) to obtain this or other information about the motion of theindividual's 100 body 106 or the motion of a piece of the individual's100 athletic equipment 108 during or after the course of the athleticactivity.

While various embodiments of the present invention are described in thecontext of the sports of soccer (i.e., football) and basketball, thepresent invention is not so limited and may be applied in a variety ofdifferent sports or athletic activities including, for example,baseball, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, football (i.e., Americanfootball), golf, hockey, lacrosse, rowing, rugby, running,skateboarding, skiing, surfing, swimming, table tennis, tennis, orvolleyball, or during training sessions related thereto.

For baseball, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those describedabove may enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a pitcher's pitch, a batter'sswing, or the ball's movement after it is thrown or before it is hit.For example, a sensor module 102 could be used to determine the type ofpitch thrown (fastball, curveball, slider, change-up, etc.), the speedof a pitch, the trajectory of the pitch, or the total pitch count. Asensor module 102 could also be used to determine the type of swing(e.g., regular swing, bunt, swing that connects with the ball, swingthat misses the ball, etc.), the speed of the swing, the swing count,the type of hit (grounder, line-drive, fly ball, homerun, etc.), thetrajectory of the ball after it was hit, or the distance that the ballwas hit. In some embodiments the sensor module 102 may be mounted, forexample, on a pitcher's torso, arm, hand, or finger, on a batter'storso, arm, hand, or finger, on or in the ball, or on or in a bat.

For bowling, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a bowler's release or theball's path. For example, a sensor module 102 could be used to determinethe type of spin applied to the roll, the speed of a roll, the totalroll count, the force applied to the pins at the moment of impact, orthe location or occurrence of divots of slick spots on the lane. Asensor module 102 could also be used to determine the path of the ballafter a release. In some embodiments the sensor module 102 may bemounted, for example, on a bowler's torso, arm, hand, or finger, or onor in the ball.

For boxing, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a boxer's offensive ordefensive moves. For example, a sensor module 102 could be used todetermine the type of punch thrown by a boxer (jab, hook, upper-cut,etc.), whether the boxer's left or right hand was used, the speed of thepunch, whether the punch connected, and/or the total punch count. Asensor module 102 could also be used to determine whether a boxer doggedleft, right or down, blocked a punch, was knocked down, or how manypunches the boxer took. In some embodiments the sensor module 102 may bemounted, for example, on a boxer's torso, arm, hand, or finger, or on orin their boxing glove.

For cycling, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a biker's or bike's motion.For example, a sensor module 102 could be used to determine the speed ofthe bike, the nature of the turns, the nature of the elevation changesduring a route, or jump characteristics such as airtime, the type oftrick performed, or whether a trick was successfully performed. In someembodiments the sensor module 102 may be mounted, for example, on abiker's torso, arm, hand, leg, foot, or head, or on or in their bike ata location such as, for example, the handlebars, frame, or pedals.

For football (i.e., American football), sensor module 102 embodimentssuch as those described above may enable an individual 100, coach,teammate, or a spectator to determine, for example, characteristics ofan offensive, defensive, or special teams player's movements, or themovement of the ball itself. For example, a sensor module 102 could beused to determine the type of run, pass, kick, or tackle, the number orruns, passes, kicks, or tackles, the force or a run, pass, kick, ortackle, the type of move used by a running back (e.g., spin move, stiffarm, hurdle, dive, sprint, etc.), or the distance, hang time, orrotational characteristics of a pass or kick. In some embodiments thesensor module 102 may be mounted, for example, on a player's torso, arm,or leg, or on or in the ball.

For golf, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a golfer's swing or themotion of the ball after it is hit. For example, a sensor module 102could be used to determine the type of swing (drive, fairway shot,approach shot, putt) the swing speed, the swing quality, or a swingcount, which could in turn be used to coach a golfer on how to improvetheir swing or game play. A sensor module 102 could also be used todetermine the path of the ball (straight, slice, hook, low, high,breaking left, breaking right) or the distance of a shot. In someembodiments the sensor module 102 may be mounted, for example, on agolfer's torso, arm, hand, leg, foot, or head, or on or in the ball, oron or in a club.

For hockey, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a player's shot or pass orthe motion of the puck after it is contacted. For example, a sensormodule 102 could be used to determine the type of shot (e.g., slapshot,backhand shot), the shot speed, the shot quality, or a shot or passcount. A sensor module 102 could also be used to determine the path ofthe puck toward the goal (straight, left, right, low, high,). In someembodiments the sensor module 102 may be mounted, for example, on ahockey player's torso, arm, hand, leg, foot, or head, or on or in thepuck, or on or in a stick.

For running, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a runner's motion. Forexample, a sensor module 102 could be used to determine the speed, pace,distance traversed, locations traversed, or to discriminate betweendifferent surfaces (e.g., grass, street, or trail) and inclinations(e.g., uphill, flat, or downhill). In some embodiments the sensor module102 may be mounted, for example, on a runner's torso, arm, hand, leg,foot, or head, or on or in their article of footwear.

For skiing, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, racecourse statistics or information on whencertain tricks are successfully performed. For example, a sensor module102 could be used to determine how many gates a skier successfullytraverse on a race course, the skier's speed, or the angles of theirturns. Also, a sensor module 102 could be used to determine maneuverssuch as jumps, flips, rotations, or the degree of the actions thatmakeup the maneuvers (e.g., height of jump, degrees of rotation,hang-time, type of trick performed, etc.). In one embodiment, sensormodule 102 may be mounted on a top or bottom surface of a ski, containedwithin a ski, or placed in a void in the ski, in a releasable ornon-releasable manner, or mounted to the skier's boot, body, or in or onother clothing. In other embodiments, sensor modules 102 could similarlybe used for snowboarding or other similar winter sports activitiesinvolving similar winter sports equipment.

For tennis, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, characteristics of a player's swing or themotion of the ball after it is hit. For example, a sensor module 102could be used to determine the type of swing (forehand, backhand, serve,return, lob) the swing speed, the swing quality, or a swing count. Asensor module 102 could also be used to determine the motion of the ball(straight, topspin, backspin, left spin, right spin) or the distance ofa shot. In some embodiments the sensor module 102 may be mounted, forexample, on a player's torso, arm, hand, leg, foot, or head, or on thetennis ball, or on a racquet.

For skateboarding, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those describedabove may enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, when certain tricks are successfully performed,such as ollies, aerials, flip tricks (e.g., kickslips), slides, orgrinds, or the degree of the actions that makeup the tricks (e.g.,height of jump, rate of rotation, length of time of slide, etc.). In oneembodiment, the sensor module 102 may be mounted on the underside of theskateboard, in a void between a skateboard wheel axle (i.e., truck) andthe skateboard itself. In other embodiments, the sensor module 102 maybe coupled to a top or bottom surface of the board, contained within theboard, or coupled to a wheel axle (i.e., truck) in a releasable ornon-releasable manner.

For surfing, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those described abovemay enable an individual 100, coach, teammate, or a spectator todetermine, for example, when certain maneuvers are successfullyperformed, such as, for example, riding waves, executing turns orcutbacks, carving, floating, or tube riding. In one embodiment, thesensor module 102 may be mounted on a top or bottom surface of thesurfboard, contained within the surfboard, or placed in a void in thesurfboard, in a releasable or non-releasable manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, sensor module 102embodiments such as those described above may enable an individual 100,coach, teammate, or a spectator to analyze the individual's 100 strengthand flexibility workout movements or exercises. For example, in oneembodiment, an individual 100 or a piece of athletic equipment 108 usedby the individual 100 during strength and flexibility workouts may carrya sensor module 102 that is capable of tracking, for example, sit-ups,push-ups, lunges, jumping-jacks, pull-ups, squats, dips, and/or calfraises. The sensor module 102 may be capable of being used to determinewhether these movements are being done correctly and/or how manyrepetitions of each movement were conducted.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor module 102 maybe capable of compensating for inherent deficiencies that may be presentfor various types of sensor contained within or in communication withthe sensor module 102. Most real world sensors have limitations. Forexample, accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes may have accuracyissues, particularly when used at speeds of motion of the object 104 orunder other conditions that differ from their initial calibrationconditions.

In some systems, if sensor data, such as acceleration sensor 116 ormagnetic field sensor 118 data, is temporarily lost or otherwiseunavailable, the data from the unavailable sensor is not used insubsequent processing or calculations. In other systems, lost data maybe estimated by “straight line” methods where, for example, it isassumed that the data stays constant or changes at a constant rate.However, in some embodiments of the present invention sensor data, suchas one of acceleration sensor 116 or magnetic field sensor 118 data maybe used to compensate for and/or estimate the changes in the other ofacceleration sensor 116 or magnetic field sensor 118 data based onknown, derived, or estimate correlations between the two types of data,or data extrapolation.

By combining the data produced by, for example, acceleration sensor 116and a magnetic field sensor 118, systems and methods according toembodiments of the present invention are able to more accuratelydetermine absolute data values or activity metrics even when data fromone of the acceleration sensor 116 or the magnetic field sensor 118 islost for any reason. Using the data that is not missing, the system cancontinue to provide data values or activity metrics to fill in the“holes” until the missing data is regained or otherwise again sampled.

In other embodiments of the present invention, angular momentum sensor124 data, such as gyroscope data, may be used in combination with one ormore of acceleration sensor 116 or magnetic field sensor 118 data fordata calibration and/or extrapolation.

In some embodiments of the present invention, calibration and/orgeneration of correction factor data for a acceleration sensor 116 ormagnetic field sensor 118-based sensor modules 102 may be performedunder a variety of different use conditions, e.g., calibration data orcorrection factors may be generated for use at different movementspeeds, for use with an individual's 100 body 106, with a piece ofathletic equipment 108, for use in different sports, for use underdifferent wind conditions, for use under different court or fieldconditions, etc. Moreover, this variety of correction factors and/orcalibration data may be collected, in the background, over time, as theindividual 100 continues using the system. In this manner, a “lookuptable” or other “universe” or library of calibration data or correctionfactors may be built up and stored in the monitoring system (optionallyin the portable portion of the system), such that an appropriatecorrection factor could be generated and applied for a full range ofindividual 100 or athletic equipment 108 speeds and/or other useconditions.

A microprocessor provided with the system (optionally in the portableportion of the system, in the personal computer, etc.) may be programmedto interpolate between and/or extrapolate from known calibration orcorrection factors to arrive at the most appropriate calibration orcorrection factor for use at any speed or other use condition(s). Also,in this manner, different calibration or correction factors may beapplied at different times during a single athletic performance, e.g.,based on the speed or other use conditions determined at a given timeduring the performance, to further help improve the overall accuracy ofthe speed and distance monitor. By having a variety of correction orcalibration factors available under different performance conditions,the sensor module 102 will tend to become more accurate, particularlyover time and with increased use, because of the increased number ofcalibration and correction factors generated with increased use.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor module 102 may beaffected by perturbations in local magnetic fields, such as the earth'smagnetic field. Perturbation can be caused, for example, by objects withferromagnetic structures. In some embodiments, the local magnetic fieldmay be more variable at certain distances near the surface of the earththan at other distances further away from the earth. For example, thelocal magnetic field may be more variable or perturbed withinapproximately six feet of the surface of the earth than at more thanapproximately six feet away from the surface of the earth. Accordingly,in some embodiments, magnetic field sensor 118 data obtained from anobject 104 when the object 104 is more than approximately six feet awayfrom the surface of the earth may be used to extrapolate or otherwiseestimate proper or likely magnetic field sensor 118 data from when theobject 104 was within approximately six feet of the surface of theearth, if the magnetic field sensor 118 data from when the object 104was within approximately six feet of the surface of the earth isotherwise deemed to be unreliable due to the relatively high variabilityin local magnetic fields, such as the earth's magnetic field, near thesurface of the earth.

In some embodiments, a magnetic field sensor 118 may obtain data aboutthe movement of the object 104 at a first time when the magnetic fieldsensor 118 is significantly influenced by a perturbed magnetic field.Then obtain data about the movement of the object 104 at a second timewhen the magnetic field sensor 118 is not significantly influenced by aperturbed magnetic field. After this data is captured, the sensor module102 may determine that the data about the movement of the object 104 atthe first time is not acceptable, and may estimate data about themovement of the object 104 at the first time based on the data about themovement of the object at the second time.

In various embodiments of the present invention described above, anindividual 100 (or another interested person such as a coach, teammate,or spectator) may obtain information about the motion of theindividual's 100 body 106 or the motion of a piece of the individual's100 athletic equipment 108 during the course of the athletic activity.Once an activity metric or specific athletic movement has beenidentified by the monitoring system 10, to the extent that the activitymetric or specific athletic movement was not entirely optimal/correct,the system 10 may further be employed to train or coach the user toimprove their activity metric or specific athletic movement in thefuture. Determinations of what activity metric value or specificathletic movement characteristic is optimal/correct may be madeautomatically by the system 10 based on predetermined values,algorithms, or other data stored in a database, look-up table, or thelike, or the determination may be made by a live trainer, coach, theindividual 100 themselves, or another interested person with access tothe activity metric value or specific athletic movement data.

For example, in embodiments where the monitored object 104 is a soccerball, where the change in the spatial orientation of the ball resultingfrom a kick is used to determine, for example, a launch angle of theball, a rate of rotation of the ball, launch speed, estimated speed, orsimilar metrics, these determinations may be used by the system 10 tohelp the individual 100 improve their launch angle, a rate of rotation,or launch speed in future kicks. Methods used to achieve improvementsmay be, for example, providing cross-training workouts or drills to theindividual, providing soccer-specific workouts or drills to theindividual, or prescribing a number of other training regimens.

As a further example, in embodiments where the monitored object 104 isthe chest of an individual 100 playing basketball, and the change in thespatial orientation of the individual's 100 chest during a jump shot isused to determine a jump height or jump force, these determinations maybe used by the system 10 to help the individual 100 improve their jumpshots and/or jump height/force. Methods used to achieve improvements maybe, for example, providing cross-training workouts or drills to theindividual, providing basketball-specific workouts or drills to theindividual, or prescribing a number of other training regimens.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring system 10may also include or interact with an interactive retail system. Theinteractive retail system could be, for example, presented to anindividual 100 via a screen on the individual's 100 portable electronicdevice 206. The interactive retail system could provide a platform forselecting and/or ordering products offered by the provider of thesystem. Based on the activity metric or specific athletic movementprovided by the monitoring system 10, and/or based on any training orcoaching provided, as described above, the interactive retail systemcould suggest specific products or product lines that may be helpful tothe individual 100 in improving their future performance. In someembodiments, personal data about the individual stored by the monitoringsystem 10 may also be used in making the determination of suitableproducts or product lines.

For example, a soccer player trying to improve her shots may receive arecommendation for a new pair of soccer cleats, while a basketballplayer trying to improve his jumping ability may receive arecommendation for a new pair of basketball shoes. These recommendationsmay ultimately be based on data derived from monitoring the individuals100 body 106, and/or from monitoring the individual's 100 athleticequipment 108. For example, a source of inadequate performance may bethe individual's 100 performance or it may be that the individual's 100current equipment 108 has worn out. In some embodiments, the individual100 may be provided with the option to purchase the new product at thetime of receiving the any training or coaching provided.

In one embodiment, the activity metric or specific athletic movementdata and/or any training or coaching provided may be used for the onlinecustomization of certain products. For example, this data can be used tocustomize an article of footwear, an article of compression clothing, ahelmet, or other piece of clothing or athletic equipment to enable toeclothing or other equipment to help the individual 100 in improvingtheir future performance. In some embodiments, customized products mayhave an individual styles, varied materials, or different accessoriesfor the individual 100 to choose from.

In some embodiments, certain products or product lines may be “unlocked”for individuals 100 to purchase only after the individual 100 achievecertain milestones for performance or improvement such as certain levelsof an activity metric or certain mastery of a specific athleticmovement.

In some embodiments, as noted above, sensor module 102 of monitoringsystem 10 can be mounted in an object 104, which can be a piece ofathletic equipment 108 such as, for example, ball 500. In someembodiments, multiple sensor modules 102 can be mounted in ball 500(e.g., one sensor module having axes at one or more oblique angles toanother sensor module). Ball 500 may be any ball, such as, for example,a ball typically used in an athletic activity, such as, for example, asoccer ball, a basketball, a baseball, an American football, a rugbyball, a tennis ball, a table tennis ball, a bowling ball, a golf ball, abilliards ball, a croquet ball, a marble, a tetherball, or a beach ball.Monitoring system 10 including sensor module 102 mounted to ball 500 isreferred to as monitoring system 20. Sensor module 102 can be mounted toball 500 using any suitable technique. For example, sensor module 102may be affixed to an exterior or interior surface of ball 500, may bemounted within ball 500 using a harness system (e.g., suspended awayfrom an inner wall of ball 500, for example at the center of ball 500),or may be embedded in a material of ball 500. Exemplary techniques thatcan be employed to mount sensor module 102 to ball 500 are disclosed incommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,551, filed Nov. 18, 2009, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

In some embodiments, sensor module 102 can be activated (i.e., enter anactive state) in response to sensing an activation motion of ball 500.In some embodiments, the activation motion may be, for example, motionin response to a kick of ball 500 (e.g., an acceleration impulse sensedabove a threshold, or a drop in sensed acceleration to near zero). Insome embodiments, the activation motion may be, for example, a kick ofthrow resulting in travel by ball 500 of at least a threshold distanceor height (e.g., 2 meters) (e.g., an acceleration sensed to correspondto such motion). In some embodiments, the activation motion may be, forexample, a sequence of motions (e.g., motion in response to a kick ofball 500 followed by travel by ball 500 of at least a threshold distanceor height). Upon activation, sensor module 102 begins to store (e.g., inmemory 114) and/or transfer sensed data to a remote device, as describedherein. In some embodiments, in an active state, sensor module 102 maycontinuously sense data (e.g., acceleration data (data representative ofacceleration) is determined by acceleration sensor 116 of sensor module102 and magnetic field data (data representative of a magnetic field) isdetermined by magnetic field sensor 118 of sensor module 102). In someembodiments, data is sensed by sensor module 102 periodically (e.g.,every 50 milliseconds (ms), every 10 ms, every 1 ms).

In some embodiments, sensor module 102 can be deactivated (e.g., enter alow-power standby state, detecting acceleration at a low frequencyrelative to the active state) in response to sensing no motion of sensormodule 102 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 30 minutes). Insome embodiments, sensor module 102 can be deactivated in response tosensing a deactivation motion of ball 500. In some embodiments, thedeactivation motion may be, for example, any of the motions describedabove as an activation motion. In some embodiments, a deactivationmotion may be the same as an activation motion. In some embodiments, adeactivation motion may be different from an activation motion.

In some embodiments, data sensed by sensor module 102 may betime-correlated (e.g., stored in association with time data representingthe time at which the data was sensed). The time at which data is sensedcan be provided via timer 134. In operation, sensor module 102 ofmonitoring system 20 senses and processes signals as described herein tooutput representations of activity metrics of ball 500. In someembodiments, representations of activity metrics can be output to, forexample, a display device (e.g., a display of personal computer 204,portable electronic device 206, or sensor module 102).

Sensor module 102 can be powered by any suitable technique, includingthose described herein. For example, sensor module 102 can be powered bycharging via a charging base 502 (see, e.g., FIG. 18). For example,power source 112 of sensor module 102 may be powered by inductivecharging, in which case an inductive coil may be mounted in ball 500 andcoupled to power source 112 of sensor module 102. In some embodimentsthe inductive coil may receive power from an inductive charging device(e.g., charging base 502) when ball 500 is placed so that the inductivecoil is sufficiently close to an inductive coil charging device. In someembodiments, ball 500 has exterior markings (e.g., marking 504) toindicate the location of the inductive coil, to facilitate optimumorientation of ball 500 (i.e., the orientation having the inductive coilclosest to the inductive coil charging device). In some embodiments,sensor module 102 is coupled to a visual indicator, such as, forexample, an externally-visible light emitting diode (LED) that gives anindication (e.g., LED emits light, light emitted by LED changes color,speed of LED blinking changes) of the strength of charge being receivedthrough the inductive coil, to facilitate optimum orientation of ball500.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 including sensor module 102mounted in ball 500 can be used to determine a variety of activitymetrics about ball 500 (and/or an individual 100 interacting with ball500), including characteristics relating to motion of ball 500. Forexample, monitoring system 20 can be used to determine trajectory ofball 500, launch angle of ball 500, rotation rate of ball 500,orientation of rotation plane of ball 500, orientation of rotation axisof ball 500, travel speed of ball 500, launch speed of ball 500, forceof a kick or other impact on ball 500, distance of travel of ball 500,and maximum acceleration of ball 500. Monitoring system 20 can performoperations as described herein to determine such activity metrics usingany suitable components. For example, sensing operations, as described,may be carried out by a sensor of sensor module 102 of monitoring system20 (e.g., acceleration sensor 116 or magnetic field sensor 118, asappropriate). Also for example, operations involving processing of data(e.g., identifying, determining, calculating, storing) may be carriedout by processor 110 of sensor module 102, or by a processor of anyother device of or in communication with monitoring system 20 (e.g.,server 202, personal computer 204, or portable electronic device 206).

In some embodiments, calibration data is sensed by sensor module 102when ball 500 is in a calibration state. In some embodiments, ball 500is in a calibration state when ball 500 is stationary (e.g., withrespect to an external coordinate system (i.e., a coordinate systemindependent of sensor module 102), such as, for example, coordinatesystem 600 (depicted in FIG. 19), for a period of time (e.g., 10 ms orlonger)). In some embodiments, ball 500 can be considered stationarywhen sensor module 102 of ball 500 senses resultant acceleration ofabout 1G (i.e., resultant acceleration within a threshold tolerance of1G, for example, within 5% of 1G). In some embodiments ball 500 can beconsidered stationary at times while being handled by an individual. Forexample, ball 500 can be stationary for a period of time within a periodof time in which a basketball player takes a jump shot with ball 500(e.g., before release of ball 500 from the hands of the individual, ball500 can be considered stationary, where resultant acceleration sensed bysensor module 102 is about 1G). Also for example, ball 500 can bestationary for a period of time within a period of time in which abaseball player performs a throw of ball 500 (e.g., a period of timespanning the transition from rearward motion to forward motion of theindividual's throwing motion, where resultant acceleration sensed bysensor module 102 is about 1G).

Ball 500 (including sensor module 102) is depicted in the calibrationstate at time t₀₀ in FIG. 20. Ball 500 may be in the calibration stateat any point relative to an athletic activity (e.g., before, during, orafter an athletic activity). In some embodiments, ball 500 is determinedto be in a calibration state, and calibration data can be sensed, eachtime ball 500 is stationary for more than a threshold duration (e.g., 1second). In some embodiments, ball 500 is determined to be in acalibration state, and calibration data can be sensed, each time ball500 is stationary.

In some embodiments, in the calibration state acceleration sensor 116 ofsensor module 102 senses acceleration data. In some embodiments magneticfield sensor 118 of sensor module 102 senses magnetic field data (e.g.,data relating to the magnetic field of the Earth). In some embodiments,calibration data includes both acceleration data and magnetic fielddata. In some embodiments, calibration data includes one of accelerationdata and magnetic field data.

In some embodiments, in the calibration state, the acceleration datasensed by acceleration sensor 116 of sensor module 102 is accelerationdue to gravity, which can be used by monitoring system 20 to determineone or both of orientation of acceleration due to gravity with respectto sensor module 102 and magnitude of acceleration due to gravity atsensor module 102 (together, gravity vector 302).

In some embodiments, in the calibration state, magnetic field sensor 118of sensor module 102 senses one or both of orientation of a magneticfield with respect to sensor module 102 and magnitude of the magneticfield at sensor module 102 (together, magnetic field vector 304).

In some embodiments sensor module 102 senses calibration data that is tobe relied upon for one or more subsequent calculations. In someembodiments the calibration data sensed when sensor module 102 is in thecalibration state can be used to establish external coordinate system600. In some embodiments external coordinate system 600 can beestablished by reference to the orientation of gravity vector 302 (e.g.,to establish the direction of “down,” since gravity is known to causedownward acceleration). In some embodiments external coordinate system600 can be established by reference to the orientation of magnetic fieldvector 304 (e.g., to establish a constant reference direction, since themagnetic field will typically be appreciably constant over the area of atypical play area for an athletic activity). In some embodimentsexternal coordinate system 600 can be established by reference to theorientation of gravity vector 302 and the orientation of magnetic fieldvector 304.

During motion of ball 500 (e.g., after ball 500 is kicked or hit) ball500 may move in any or all of six degrees of freedom—three lineardegrees: (1) up/down (e.g., along the Y axis in external coordinatesystem 600), (2) left/right (e.g., along the X axis in externalcoordinate system 600), and (3) backward/forward (e.g., along the Z axisin external coordinate system 600); and three rotational degrees: (1)yaw (e.g., in the angular α direction in external coordinate system600), (2) roll (e.g., in the angular β direction in external coordinatesystem 600), and (3) pitch (e.g., in the angular γ direction in externalcoordinate system 600).

Individual 100 or other person may desire to know activity metrics ofball 500, for example, to learn the effects that actions of individual100 have on ball 500 (e.g., a kick or throw of ball 500 by individual100). Monitoring system 20 may determine such activity metrics (e.g.,trajectory of ball 500, launch angle of ball 500, rotation rate of ball500, orientation of rotation plane of ball 500, orientation of rotationaxis of ball 500, travel speed of ball 500, launch speed of ball 500,force of a kick or other impact on ball 500, distance of travel of ball500, and maximum acceleration of ball 500). Sensor module 102 may outputdata representative of such activity metrics (e.g., to a display deviceof personal computer 204 or portable electronic device 206). Such datamay be outputted from sensor module 102 in raw form (e.g., unprocessedsignals from acceleration sensor 116 and/or magnetic field sensor 118)or in representative form (e.g., data that results from processingsignals from acceleration sensor 116 and/or magnetic field sensor 118).In some embodiments monitoring system 20 outputs a representation of oneor more activity metrics in a manner perceivable by individual 100and/or other person.

Data representative of such activity metrics can be processed and/oroutput in any suitable manner, such as, for example, those describedherein.

As noted herein, in some embodiments monitoring system 20 can determineand/or output a representation of instantaneous trajectory 606 of ball500 over a period of time or at a particular point in time (theinstantaneous trajectory being a representation of the direction ofmotion of ball 500 in motion). In some embodiments monitoring system 20can determine and/or output a representation of launch angle 604 of ball500. In some embodiments launch angle 604 can be determined tocorrespond to instantaneous trajectory 606 of ball 500 at a point intime sufficiently close to initiation of motion of ball 500 (e.g.,shortly after ball 500 has been kicked or hit). In some embodimentsinitiation of motion of ball 500 is determined based on a sensed impulseacceleration exceeding a threshold. In some embodiments, launch angle604 can be determined to correspond to instantaneous trajectory 606 ofball 500 less than 150 ms (e.g., 100 ms to 150 ms) after initiation ofmotion of ball 500. In some embodiments, launch angle 604 can bedetermined to correspond to instantaneous trajectory 606 of ball 500 atthe earliest time after initiation of motion of ball 500 at whichacceleration magnitude can be sensed. In some embodiments, this time mayimmediately follow a period of less reliable data output by accelerationsensor 116 (where such data output is less reliable than data output byacceleration sensor 116 at other times). Such less reliable data outputmay be the result of, for example, a disturbance (e.g., railing) insensed acceleration data (e.g., due to sudden change in acceleration,for example, upon an impact) or gain saturation of the accelerationsensor signal (e.g., a period during which the acceleration sensoroutputs its maximum acceleration signal, because acceleration is higherthan the maximum acceleration it can sense), which may result from, forexample, the high initial acceleration of ball 500 in reaction to animpact (e.g., a kick, a throw, a shot). In some embodiments, such lessreliable acceleration data output may be experienced for a time (e.g.,100-150 ms) after impact of a kick (e.g., about 10 ms for the durationof kick impact, and about 90 ms to 140 ms after impact).

Launch angle 604 can correspond to instantaneous trajectory 606 as theangle of the vertical component of the direction of travel of ball 500in free flight sufficiently close to initiation of motion of ball 500.In some embodiments, free flight is determined based on accelerationdata. Immediately upon entering free flight (e.g., upon ball 500 beingthrown or kicked), acceleration data sensed by acceleration sensor 116shows resultant acceleration of less than 1G (i.e., less than theacceleration due to gravity). For example, resultant acceleration maydrop from 1G (e.g., in a stationary or non-free flight state) to 0.5G(e.g., in free flight). The time at which this drop takes place can bedetermined as the initiation of free flight. Continued free flight canbe determined while resultant acceleration remains below 1G. In someembodiments, the magnitude of acceleration due to gravity can bepredefined, or can be determined based on acceleration data sensed whileball 500 is stationary (e.g., in a calibration state).

The closer to initiation of motion that the angle of the verticalcomponent of the direction of travel of ball 500 in free flight isdetermined, the more representative of launch angle it may be. Beyondinitiation of motion, the angle of the vertical component of thedirection of travel of ball 500 in free flight may change (e.g.,decrease). In some embodiments, this change can be compensated for usinga formula based on the instantaneous trajectory, speed (see below), andtime (after initiation of motion), to increase the accuracy of thelaunch angle determination. In some embodiments, the path of ball 500during a period of gain saturation (i.e., while the acceleration sensoris railed) can be determined based on magnetic field data sensed duringthat time. In some embodiments the launch angle at the moment of impactcan be determined based on this path.

In some embodiments, instantaneous trajectory 606 (and/or launch angle604) of ball 500 can be determined based on one or more of accelerationdata and magnetic field data (e.g., sensed by acceleration sensor 116and/or magnetic field sensor 118) at a first, earlier time, and one ormore of acceleration data and magnetic field data (e.g., sensed byacceleration sensor 116 and magnetic field sensor 118) at a second,later time. In some embodiments, at the first time ball 500 isstationary (e.g., in a calibration state), and at the second time ball500 is in motion (e.g., motion of ball 500 is initiated between thefirst time and the second time).

In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, an externalcoordinate system (e.g., external coordinate system 600) is determinedat a first time (see, e.g., operation 510, FIG. 21), where ball 500 isin a calibration state at the first time. In some embodiments theorientation of an internal coordinate system fixed with reference tosensor module 102 (e.g., internal coordinate system 650) is determinedrelative to external coordinate system 600 (see, e.g., operation 512,FIG. 21). For ease of description, internal coordinate system 650 isdescribed herein to align with external coordinate system 600 at thefirst time, but it should be understood that internal coordinate system650 need not align with external coordinate system 600 (e.g., internalcoordinate system 650 may be established by an angular offset fromexternal coordinate system 600), and that internal coordinate system 600need not be characterized by traditional coordinate components, but maybe characterized simply by some reference establishing the relativeorientation of sensor module 102 with respect to the external coordinatesystem (e.g., external coordinate system 600). Components of internalcoordinate system 650 are designated in the figures as X′ (e.g.,left/right), Y′ (e.g., up/down), Z′ (e.g., backward/forward), α′ (e.g.,yaw), β′ (e.g., roll), and γ (e.g., pitch), and changes in thecoordinate components are designated as ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ, Δα, Δβ, and Δγ,respectively (see, e.g., FIG. 20).

For example, as depicted in, FIG. 19, in some embodiments accelerationsensor 116 is used to determine the orientation of gravity vector 302with respect to sensor module 102 (i.e., with respect to internalcoordinate system 650) at the first time (see, e.g., operation 524, FIG.21), and in some embodiments magnetic field sensor 118 is used todetermine the orientation of magnetic field vector 304 with respect tosensor module 102 at the first time (see, e.g., operation 526, FIG. 21).In some embodiments, the orientation of internal coordinate system 650with respect to external coordinate system 600 can be determined basedon one or both of gravity vector 302 and magnetic field vector 304 (see,e.g., operation 512, FIG. 21). In this way an initial orientation ofball 500 can be determined based on the initial orientation of sensormodule 102 (including internal coordinate system 650) within externalcoordinate system 600.

In some embodiments, for example, see FIG. 20, rotation (e.g.,three-dimensional rotation) of ball 500 is sensed and measured betweenthe first time and a second time (see, e.g., operation 514, FIG. 21),where ball 500 is in motion at the second time (e.g., shortly aftermotion is initiated, such as, for example, 100 ms after motion isdetected). In some embodiments, such rotation can be output bymonitoring system 20 and/or used by monitoring system 20 for furtheroperations.

For example, in some embodiments the change in orientation of ball 500between the first time and the second time is determined based onmagnetic field data sensed by magnetic field sensor 118 from the firsttime to the second time. For example, the change in orientation of ball500 between the first time and the second time may be expressed by theangular difference of axes X′, Y′, and Z′ between the first time and thesecond time with respect to external coordinate system 600 (depicted asΔα, Δβ, and Δγ).

Also for example, in some embodiments the change in position of ball 500between the first time and the second time can be determined based onacceleration data sensed by acceleration sensor 116 and/or magneticfield data sensed by magnetic field sensor 118 from the first time tothe second time. In some embodiments, such change in position can beoutput by monitoring system 20 and/or used by monitoring system 20 forfurther operations.

For example, the change in position of ball 500 between the first timeand the second time may be expressed by the linear difference inposition of sensor module 102 along of axes X, Y, and Z between thefirst time and the second time with respect to external coordinatesystem 600 (depicted as ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ).

In some embodiments, at the second time acceleration sensor 116 ofsensor module 102 senses one or both of orientation of acceleration(i.e., the acceleration direction) of sensor module 102 (and thus ball500) with respect to sensor 102 and magnitude of acceleration of sensormodule 102 (together, a resultant acceleration vector 602) (see, e.g.,operation 516, FIG. 21). In some embodiments, the acceleration sensed bysensor module 102 is substantially entirely due to the effects of drag(i.e., deceleration due to a drag force) on ball 500. (In someembodiments acceleration sensor 116 is an inertial system, and thus doesnot sense acceleration due to gravity when in free flight.)

It is known that the direction of motion of a moving body is opposite tothe direction of drag force applied to the moving body. In someembodiments monitoring system 20 determines the relative (i.e., withrespect to sensor module 102) direction of motion of ball 500 to beopposite to the direction of resultant acceleration vector 602 (see,e.g., operation 518, FIG. 21).

In some embodiments, to determine the absolute (i.e., with respect tothe external coordinate system) direction of motion of ball 500 (e.g.,instantaneous trajectory 606), monitoring system 20 subtracts the angleof rotation of ball 500 between the first time and the second time fromthe relative direction of motion of ball 500 (see, e.g., operation 520,FIG. 21).

In some embodiments, to determine launch angle 604 of ball 500,monitoring system 20 determines the angle of the vertical component ofthe absolute direction of motion of ball 500, which is determined tocorrespond to launch angle 604 of ball 500 (see, e.g., operation 522,FIG. 21).

As noted herein, in some embodiments monitoring system 20 can determineand/or output a representation of rotation rate 610 of ball 500 (see,e.g., FIG. 22). Rotation rate is a measure of the angular velocity (w)at which ball 500 rotates, and can be expressed, for example, as thenumber of revolutions of ball 500 per unit time, or the angular changeof ball 500 per unit time. In some embodiments, rotation rate 610 can bedetermined based on magnetic field data sensed by magnetic field sensor118.

In some embodiments, to determine rotation rate of ball 500, sensormodule 102 of rotating ball 500 can sense magnetic field data viamagnetic field sensor 118 for a period of time (see, e.g., operation540, FIG. 23). In some embodiments monitoring system 20 can apply aFourier transform to the sensed magnetic field data (a time domainrepresentation). This results in a representation of the frequency ofrotation of ball 500 (a frequency domain representation), that is, arepresentation of its rotation rate (see, e.g., operation 542, FIG. 23).

In some embodiments, to determine rotation rate of ball 500, sensormodule 102 of rotating ball 500 can sense acceleration data viaacceleration sensor 116 at a first time (e.g., t₁, see FIG. 27) and at asecond time (e.g., t₂, see FIG. 27). Between the first time and thesecond time, ball 500 (including sensor module 102) rotates.Acceleration data sensed at the first time and the second time is aresultant acceleration vector created due to drag forces acting on ball500. In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 normalizes the resultantacceleration vector at each of the first time and the second time (e.g.,so that the resultant acceleration vector is between −1 and 1). Suchnormalization can provide a true orientation in space of the resultantacceleration vector. This normalization is performed on data from all(e.g., all three) axes of acceleration sensor 116 (such that the sum ofthe squares of the normalized values will always be 1). In someembodiments, monitoring system 20 determines the angle of each axis atthe first time and at the second time by denormalizing the magnitude ofthe normalized value (e.g., calculating the cosine or arccosine of thevalue). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 determines the changein each angle between the first time and the second time. In someembodiments, monitoring system 20 determines the rate of rotation basedon the change in angle between the first time and the second time andthe elapsed time between the first time and the second time.

In some embodiments, to determine rotation rate of ball 500, sensormodule 102 of rotating ball 500 can sense acceleration data viaacceleration sensor 116 for a period of time (see, e.g., operation 544,FIG. 24). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can identify arepeating portion of the sensed acceleration data (e.g., the orientationof acceleration with respect to sensor module 102) (see, e.g., operation546, FIG. 24). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can identify arepeating portion of the sensed acceleration data by identifyingsuccessive similar orientations of such acceleration data (e.g.,repeating peaks in data output representative of the orientation ofacceleration) with respect to sensor module 102 (see, e.g., operation554, FIG. 24). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determinethe time period of a repeating portion of sensed acceleration data(e.g., the elapsed time between successive similar orientations of suchacceleration data), which can represent the time period for a singlerevolution of ball 500 (see, e.g., operation 548, FIG. 24). In someembodiments, monitoring system 20 can calculate the inverse of the timeperiod for a single revolution of ball 500 (see, e.g., operation 550,FIG. 24) and can determine this value to be the rotation rate of ball500 (see, e.g., operation 552, FIG. 24).

As described above, monitoring system 20 can determine rotation rate ofball 500 using magnetic field data alone, or acceleration data alone. Insome embodiments, monitoring system 20 can separately determine rotationrate of ball 500 using both acceleration data and magnetic field data.In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine rotation rate ofball 500 using acceleration data where magnetic field data is unreliable(e.g., due to interference or other perturbation), or vice versa.

As noted herein, in some embodiments monitoring system 20 can determineand/or output a representation of the orientation of rotation of ball500, which may be represented the angle 622 (e.g., having components 622a, 622 b) of the axis of rotation 620 of ball 500 and/or the angle 626(e.g., having components 626 a, 626 b) of the plane of rotation 624 ofball 500 (see, e.g., FIG. 22). Axis of rotation 620 is an axis throughball 500 about which ball 500 rotates. Plane of rotation 624 is a planeorthogonal to axis of rotation 620. Angles 622, 626 can be expressedwith respect to external coordinate system 600. In some embodiments,angles 622, 626 can be determined based on acceleration data sensed byacceleration sensor 116 and magnetic field data sensed by magnetic fieldsensor 118.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine one or both ofangles 622, 626 by sensing orientation of resultant acceleration vector602 with respect to sensor module 102 at a first time (e.g., t₁) (see,e.g., operation 556, FIG. 25) and at a second time (e.g., t₂, where thesecond time may be 20-30 ms after the first time) (see, e.g., operation558, FIG. 25). See, for example, FIGS. 26 and 27, wherein arrows 640show the direction of rotation of ball 500. In some embodiments,monitoring system 20 can determine the orientation (with respect tosensor module 102) of the plane defined between the orientation ofresultant acceleration vector 602 with respect to ball 500 at the firsttime (602 a) and the orientation of resultant acceleration vector 602with respect to ball 500 at the second time (602 b) (see, e.g.,operation 560, FIG. 25). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 candefine this plane to be the plane of rotation 624 of ball 500 (see,e.g., FIG. 26) (see, e.g., operation 562, FIG. 25). In some embodiments,monitoring system 20 can determine the angle between plane of rotation624 and the orientation of gravity vector 302 with respect to sensormodule 102 (determined, for example, as described herein) (see, e.g.,operation 564, FIG. 25). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 cancalculate angles 622, 626 based on the angle between plane of rotation624 and the orientation of gravity vector 302 using, for example,trigonometric calculations (see, e.g., operation 566, FIG. 25).

As noted herein, in some embodiments monitoring system 20 can determineand/or output a representation of travel speed of ball 500. Speed is ameasure of the rate of change of the position of ball 500, and can beexpressed as the magnitude of a velocity vector 630 of ball 500 (see,e.g., FIG. 28). Speed of ball 500 can be determined based onacceleration data sensed by acceleration sensor 116 while ball 500 is inmotion. Speed of ball 500 can be determined for any time ball 500 is infree flight. In some embodiments, speed is calculated shortly afterinitiation of motion (e.g., 50 ms after being kicked) in order todetermine a near-maximum speed of ball 500 in response to the initiationof motion.

In some embodiments, ball 500 is determined to be in free flight at agiven time (see, e.g., operation 530, FIG. 29). While in free flight,acceleration sensor 116 of sensor module 102 may sense magnitude ofacceleration of sensor module 102 (and thus ball 500) with respect tosensor module 102 (see, e.g., operation 532, FIG. 29). The magnitude ofacceleration can be expressed as the magnitude of a resultantacceleration vector 632 (see, e.g., FIG. 28). In some embodiments, theacceleration sensed by sensor module 102 is substantially entirely dueto the effects of drag (i.e., deceleration due to a drag force) on ball500.

It is known that the direction of motion of a moving body is opposite tothe direction of drag force applied to the moving body. Thus, in someembodiments the magnitude of acceleration sensed by acceleration sensor116 of sensor module 102 is the magnitude of acceleration in thedirection of motion of ball 500. In some embodiments the magnitude ofacceleration sensed by acceleration sensor 116 of sensor module 102 isdetermined to be the magnitude of acceleration in the direction ofmotion of ball 500 (see, e.g., operation 534, FIG. 29).

Speed of ball 500 in motion can be expressed as a function of themagnitude of acceleration of ball 500. This functional relationship canbe influenced by physical characteristics of ball 500 (e.g., mass, size,surface area, surface texture, material, shape, panel shape, moment ofinertia), and thus may vary for balls of different construction. Thisfunctional relationship can also be influenced by environmentalconditions (e.g., ambient temperature, local pressure), indications ofwhich may be received by monitoring system 20 from suitableenvironmental sensors (e.g., coupled to ball 500, incorporated intosensor module 102, coupled to a remote device) or input by a user (e.g.,individual 100) via an interface of monitoring system 20 (e.g., an inputof personal computer 204 or portable electronic device 206, such as, forexample, a keyboard, microphone, or touchscreen). This functionalrelationship can also be influenced by dynamic characteristics of ball500 such as, for example, rotation of ball 500 (e.g., rotation rateand/or rotation angle), which can impart a Magnus effect on ball 500,influencing its speed (a Magnus effect can cause a curve or bend in thetrajectory of ball 500).

For a given ball 500 (and balls of the same or sufficiently similarconstruction), this functional relationship may be established bycalculation (e.g., the relation between drag force and speed of aspherical object in free flight is speed=constant*log(drag)+constant),experimentation, or both, and may be expressed and/or stored as a datastructure within monitoring system 20, for example, as an algorithm(e.g., f(acceleration)=speed), as a graphical curve (e.g., curve 634),or as a lookup table (e.g., table 636).

In some embodiments, the functional relationship can be established (oraugmented) by a user (e.g., individual 100) of ball 500. For example,individual 100 may set ball 500 on the ground a distance from a wall (orother object or structure). Individual 100 may input the distance intomonitoring system 20 via an interface thereof. Individual 100 may thenkick ball 500 at the wall. Sensor module 102 may sense the time ofinitiation of free flight of ball 500 as ball 500 is impacted byindividual's 100 foot. Sensor module 102 may then sense the time ball500 makes contact with the wall (e.g., by an abrupt change (e.g., a dropto about zero) in resultant acceleration). The distance traveled dividedby the time of travel can be used to determine a representation of thespeed of ball 500 for the measured kick. Resultant acceleration (i.e.,drag) can be sensed for the measured kick). Individual 100 may performsuch operations multiple times, at the same or different distances, toestablish an experimental data set, which can be used to derive arepresentation of the functional relationship between drag force andspeed of the ball 500 in free flight. This representation of thefunctional relationship can be stored as a data structure withinmonitoring system 20 and subsequently referred to in order to determinespeed of ball 500 based on measured acceleration data (as describedabove).

Once the magnitude of acceleration of ball 500 is sensed by accelerationsensor 116 of sensor module 102, monitoring system 20 compares themagnitude of acceleration of ball 500 to a data structure expressing thefunctional relationship between magnitude of acceleration and speed forthe given ball 500 (see, e.g., operation 536, FIG. 29), to determinespeed of ball 500 (i.e., the speed that corresponds to the sensedacceleration magnitude in the data structure expressing the functionalrelationship) (see, e.g., operation 538, FIG. 29).

FIG. 30 depicts a display 590 (which, in some embodiments, may be adisplay of any element described herein, such as, for example, sensormodule 102, portable electronic device 206, personal computer 204, groupmonitoring device 270) showing an exemplary representation of agraphical curve 634 representing a functional relationship betweenmagnitude of acceleration and speed for a given ball 500. FIG. 31depicts display 590 showing an exemplary representation of a table 636representing a functional relationship between magnitude of accelerationand speed for a given ball 500. Graphical curve 634 and table 636 caneach be relied upon by monitoring system 20 to determine speed of ball500, given the magnitude of acceleration of ball 500. For example, givena magnitude of acceleration of A, both graphical curve 634 and table 636show a speed of B, and given a magnitude of acceleration of C, bothgraphical curve 634 and table 636 show a speed of D. In someembodiments, if a given value for magnitude of acceleration does nothave a corresponding magnitude of acceleration in the expression of thefunctional relationship (e.g., graphical curve 634 or table 636), thespeed may be determined by known techniques of mathematicalapproximation, such as, for example, rounding or interpolation.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine and/or output arepresentation of a flight time of ball 500. In some embodiments, flighttime can be determined based on acceleration data. For example, flighttime can correspond to a period during which acceleration data sensed byacceleration sensor 116 shows resultant acceleration of less than 1G.For example, sensor module 102 may determine the time at which ball 500enters free flight (e.g., monitoring system 20 may determine a flightinitiation time corresponding to the time at which resultantacceleration drops below 1G, may determine a flight termination timecorresponding to the time at which resultant acceleration returns to 1G,may calculate the elapsed time between the flight initiation time andthe flight termination time, and may determine the elapsed time to be aflight time of ball 500.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine and/or output arepresentation of distance of travel of ball 500. In some embodiments,monitoring system 20 can determine distance of travel of ball 500 for aflight of ball 500 based on acceleration data. In some embodiments,monitoring system 20 can determine distance of travel based on flighttime of ball 500 (which can be determined as described above) and travelspeed of ball 500 (which can be determined as described above) duringthe flight time (e.g., monitoring system 20 can determine the averagespeed of ball 500 during flight). For example, monitoring system 20 candetermine distance of travel for a flight of ball 500 by multiplyingaverage velocity during the flight by the flight time.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine a trajectorymodel (i.e., path of flight) for an instance of free flight of ball 500,and may calculate the distance traversed by ball 500. In someembodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine the trajectory modelbased on conditions (e.g., activity metrics) of ball 500 (e.g.,conditions at initiation of flight of ball 500, and/or at a point intime thereafter). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 candetermine the trajectory model based on speed of ball 500, launch angleof ball 500, rotation plane of ball 500, and rotation rate of ball 500,each of which can be determined, for example, as described herein.Monitoring system 20 can calculate the distance traveled by ball 500based on the trajectory model (e.g., by calculating the distance betweenbeginning and end points of the trajectory model along the ground, or aplane representing the ground). In some embodiments, because thetrajectory model can be determined based on conditions before completionof a flight of ball 500, monitoring system 20 can determine a trajectorymodel for an instance of flight even in the event that free flight ofball 500 is interrupted (e.g., by striking an object). In such a case,monitoring system 20 can determine an estimated distance traveled byball 500, which can correspond to a distance ball 500 would havetraveled had its flight not been interrupted.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine and/or output arepresentation of maximum acceleration of ball 500. In some embodiments,monitoring system 20 can determine maximum acceleration of ball 500based on acceleration data. For example, monitoring system 20 candetermine maximum acceleration of ball 500 in flight using accelerationdata sensed by acceleration sensor 116 of sensor module 102. (Whetherball is in flight can be determined as described above.) For example,monitoring system 20 can compare the magnitude of acceleration of ball500 for a time period at all times during the period (or a subsetthereof) for which data is available, to identify the greatest magnitudeof acceleration, which can be determined to be the maximum accelerationof ball 500 during the time period. The time period for which maximumacceleration is determined can be any time period, for example, a singleperiod of free flight, a selected time period, or the duration of anathletic contest. In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 is mayfilter out sensed magnitudes of acceleration of, around, or in excess of1G, as such magnitudes may be due to gravity (e.g., in the event ball500 is not in free flight).

Monitoring system 20 can output representations of activity metrics(including, for example, trajectory of ball 500, launch angle of ball500, rotation rate of ball 500, orientation of rotation plane of ball500, orientation of rotation axis of ball 500, travel speed of ball 500,launch speed of ball 500, force of a kick or other impact on ball 500,distance of travel of ball 500, and maximum acceleration of ball 500) ina manner perceivable by individual 100 or other person (e.g., a coach,trainer, or spectator). Data generated within or received by anycomponent of monitoring system 20 can be transmitted, processed, andoutput in any suitable manner, including those described herein.

For example, in some embodiments, representations of activity metricscan be output to a display of a portable electronic device (e.g.,portable electronic device 206) or personal computer (e.g., personalcomputer 204). In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determineand output, for example, representations of activity metrics in realtime, representations of past activity metrics, representations ofpredicted activity metrics, representations of comparisons of a current(or most recent) value for an activity metric to a past value for thatactivity metric, representations of comparisons of one activity metricto a different activity metric, representations of comparisons of avalue for an activity metric to a target value for the activity metric,representations of comparisons of a value for an activity metric of ball500 or individual 100 to a value for the same (or a different) activitymetric for a different ball or individual.

In some embodiments, representations of activity metrics can bepresented (e.g., displayed on a display screen of any of the devicesdescribed herein) as functions of one another, or of other variables.For example, travel distance of ball 500 can be presented as a functionof launch angle. Also for example, activity metrics can be presented asa function of location (e.g., location on a playing field, proximity toa player, proximity to a goal), as a function of an event (e.g., scoringof a field goal, committing a foul), as a function of an environmentalcondition (e.g., ambient temperature, precipitation), or as a functionof a physiological condition of an individual (e.g., heart rate, bodytemperature). Information relating to such variables (e.g., locationinformation, event information, environmental condition information, andphysiological condition information) may be provided to monitoringsystem 20 from appropriate sensors incorporated therein, or fromelements outside of monitoring system 20 that are in communication withmonitoring system 20.

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can determine and outputrepresentations in any perceivable way, for example, numerically (e.g.,by outputting a value indicative of the activity metric or comparison),textually (e.g., by outputting a word or phrase indicative of theactivity metric or comparison), graphically (e.g., by outputting a graphor other image indicative of the activity metric or comparison), ortabularly (e.g., by outputting a table indicative of the activity metricor comparison).

In some embodiments, activity metrics can be output in a game-likemanner. Points or other positive or negative feedback may be determinedand output based on values for activity metrics for ball 500 and/orindividual 100. Comparisons based on such values or feedback caninfluence progress in the game. For example, such values or feedback maybe compared to past values or feedback for the same individual 100 orball 500, and improvement may result in positive progress being made inthe game (e.g., a higher “level” being designated to a game account ofindividual 100 or ball 500). Also for example, such values or feedbackmay be compared to values or feedback of a different individual 100 orball 500 (including data of, or purported to be of, a professionalathlete or other well-known individual), and progress in the game may bedetermined based on that comparison. Also for example, such values orfeedback may be compared to target values or feedback, and progress inthe game may be determined based on that comparison. Also for example,in some embodiments, such activity metrics can govern capabilities of avirtual player in a virtual game, by being uploaded to or otherwiseaccessed by the game (e.g., the maximum ball speed of an individual'skick of ball 500 may limit the maximum virtual ball speed of a virtualavatar of the individual in a virtual game).

In some embodiments, monitoring system 20 can be used as a standalonemonitoring system. In some embodiments, however, monitoring system 20(or components thereof) can be used in conjunction with or incorporatedinto other monitoring systems, including for example, those disclosed incommonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/077,494, filed Mar.31, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

For example, in some embodiments, any of the activity metrics (includingvalues and/or outputs) described herein can be used and/or output inconjunction with activity metrics or other data from other monitoringsystems, for example, monitoring devices and associated components thatsense characteristics (e.g., movement, performance, and/or physiologicalcharacteristics) of one or more objects or players engaged in anathletic activity (such as described above, for example, with respect tothe group monitoring system). For example, an individual engaged in anathletic activity may be separately monitored by a monitoring devicesuch that activity metrics of the individual's performance can bemonitored and/or output for observation by, for example, a coach,trainer, or spectator, or for later review by the individual himself.Simultaneously, activity metrics of ball 500, which can be interactedwith by the individual during the athletic activity, may be monitoredand/or output as described herein with reference to monitoring system20. The activity metrics resulting from monitoring of ball 500 can beused together with the activity metrics resulting from monitoring of theindividual. For example, activity metrics derived from the individualcan be displayed in a time-correlated manner with activity metricsderived from ball 500. Also for example, activity metrics derived fromthe individual can be expressed as a function of activity metricsderived from ball 500 (or vice versa). Also for example, new activitymetrics can be determined based on analysis of both activity metricsderived from the individual and activity metrics derived from ball 500(e.g., the time it takes for the individual to react to an instructionto kick ball 500).

For example, an individual's speed may be monitored during performanceof an athletic activity, and speed of ball 500 may also be monitoredduring performance of the athletic activity. A monitoring system takingboth of these characteristics into account may display (or otherwiseoutput) speed of the individual in conjunction with the speed of ball500 (see, e.g., FIG. 32). For a series of kicks, maximum speed of ball500 may be expressed as a function of speed of the individual. Similarcomparison, combinations, and/or representations can be provided for anyother combination of characteristics derived from outputs of ball 500and a monitored individual.

In some embodiments, a plurality of monitored individuals may interactwith one or more of ball 500 (e.g., during a soccer game). Activitymetrics derived from each of the plurality of individuals and activitymetrics derived from ball(s) 500 can be similarly compared, combined,and/or represented as described above. Such comparison, combination,and/or representations can be made based on each individual consideredseparately, on a subset of individuals grouped together (e.g., a team,midfielders of a team), or on all monitored individuals. In a gamesetting, such comparison, combination, and/or representations can becorrelated to game events, such as a goal, a ball travelingout-of-bounds, a penalty kick, or a jump ball, which can be output inrelation to contemporaneous activity metrics of individuals asdescribed.

Such comparing, combining, and/or representing data derived frommonitoring ball 500 and from monitoring individuals interacting withball 500 can provide benefits to, for example, the individualsparticipating in an athletic activity, coaches, spectators, physicians,and game officials. Such persons may interact or work together during asession of athletic activity for a variety of reasons.

For example, it may be desired that a coach monitors the performance ofthe individuals and makes recommendations or otherwise influences theirperformance in order to maximize the individuals' fitness level.Alternatively or additionally, it may be desired that the coach monitorsand influences the individuals to help maximize the effectiveness of theindividuals in the athletic activity. Further, it may be desired thatthe coach monitors and influences the individuals to help maximize theprobability of success in the athletic activity (where success may be,for example, defeating an opposing team in a game, such as, for example,soccer, or achieving/maintaining a desired level of fitness for one ormore individuals participating in the athletic activity). A session ofathletic activity may include, for example, a training session (e.g., afield session, a gym session, a track session) or a competitive session(e.g., a soccer match or a basketball game).

In some embodiments, the coach may monitor the individuals and ball 500and may provide feedback to the individuals in order to track andmaintain or improve the individuals' health, safety, and/or performance.

The coach must consider these and other goals, monitor the individuals'activity (including the results of their activity, e.g., as determinedthrough monitoring of ball 500), and make decisions to influence theperformance of the individuals both individually and as a group. Indoing so, the coach depends on information about the individuals andtheir performance while participating in a session of athletic activity.A monitoring system (e.g., monitoring system 20, group monitoring system250) that provides data about the individuals as well as a ball beinginteracted with by the individuals can provide the coach witheasy-to-understand information about individuals participating in theathletic activity, beyond that which can be directly observed, therebyfacilitating quick and effective decision-making by the coach tomaximize the probability of achieving success in the athletic activity.

For example, sensor module 102 coupled to ball 500 (and sensor modules102 coupled to other balls, objects, or individuals) may monitoractivity (e.g., activity metrics) of ball 500 (and other balls, objects,or individuals), and may send data relating to the monitored activity toa display device (e.g., group monitoring device 270, see, e.g., FIG. 9),which may display a representation of the activity for viewing by thecoach. In some embodiments, such data may be sent from sensor modules102 to base station 260, and from base station 260 to group monitoringdevice 270. In some embodiments, such data may be sent from sensormodules 102 to base station 260, and from base station 260 to groupmonitoring device 270. In some embodiments, such data may be sentdirectly from sensor modules 102 (and/or portable electronic devices206, in the case where portable electronic devices 206 receive such datafrom sensor modules 102) to group monitoring device 270. In someembodiments, such data may be sent from sensor modules 102 (and/orportable electronic devices 206, in the case where portable electronicdevices 206 receive such data from sensor modules 102) to other sensormodules 102 (or other portable electronic devices 206), and thereafteroutput for display on a display device (e.g., via group monitoringdevice 270 and/or portable electronic device 206)

As noted herein, any processing of such data (e.g., as described herein)between generation thereof and output (e.g., display) thereof can beperformed by a processor of any element that receives such data, in anyform, including, for example, sensor module 102, portable electronicdevice 206, base station 260, and group monitoring device 270, as shown,for example, in FIG. 9.

For ease of description, embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to a ball. The disclosure herein, however, isapplicable sports objects (i.e., objects used for an athletic activity)that are balls, as described, and sports objects that are not balls,such as, for example a skateboard, a surfboard, a hockey stick, a hockeypuck, a heart rate monitor, an arrow, a discus, a javelin, a bowlingpin, munitions, a tennis racket, a golf club, a boomerang, and a kite.The disclosure herein, however, is also applicable to objects that arenot sports objects, such as, for example, an aircraft (e.g., modelplane).

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments of the monitoringsystem described with reference to the figures will so fully reveal thegeneral nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledgewithin the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for variousapplications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation,without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

In some embodiments monitoring system 20 can be applied as describedherein to a standalone sensor that can be affixed to any implement,including, for example, the objects described herein (e.g., as anaftermarket upgrade).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. It should be apparent that adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It therefore will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and detail can be made to the embodimentsdisclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. The elements of the embodiments presented above arenot necessarily mutually exclusive, but may be interchanged to meetvarious needs as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used hereinis for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The breadth andscope of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining a speed of a ball usedfor an athletic activity, the method comprising: sensing accelerationdata, using a sensor module coupled to the ball; determining a dragforce applied to the ball, based on the acceleration data; comparing thedrag force with a drag profile that expresses drag as a function of ballspeed, wherein the drag profile is based on experimental data; anddetermining the speed of the ball based on the comparison.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the sensor module includes an acceleration sensor,and wherein the acceleration data is sensed by the acceleration sensor.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the acceleration data comprises arepresentation of a magnitude of acceleration sensed by the sensormodule.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising: determining that the ballis in free flight at the time of sensing the acceleration data.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: providing an output based on the speed ofthe ball.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the output is a display ofthe speed of the ball in conjunction with a characteristic of anindividual.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the output is a display ofthe speed of the ball in conjunction with an activity metric.
 8. Themethod of claim 5, wherein providing the output comprises transmittingdata representative of the speed to a display device.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the display device is a portable phone.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the speed of the object is recorded in a memorymodule.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: comparing thespeed of the object to a previously recorded speed of the object; andproviding feedback to an individual engaged in the athletic activitybased on the comparison.